Erigeron reductus var. angustatus
Lesser California rayless fleabane
Photo: parent species Erigeron reductus · no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Erigeron reductus var. angustatus (Lesser California rayless fleabane) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by rayless heads distinguish from most others.
Lesser California rayless fleabane is a California native perennial found in northern coastal regions including northern Coast Ranges and San Francisco Bay Area in rocky pine and oak woodlands at elevations of 600 to 1,400 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces white to pale lavender flowers with distinctive purple-tipped phyllaries. Growing with slender stems 15 to 40 centimeters tall, it forms compact clusters in rocky habitats. Its leaves are narrow and elongated, typically clustered near the base of the plant with smaller, more sparse leaves along the stem. The fruit develops with delicate pappus bristles ranging from 38 to 61 in number, characteristic of this subtle and adaptable fleabane variety.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 22 sympatric species; rayless heads distinguish from most others
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky sites, sometimes on serpentine, pine/oak woodland
Elevation: 600-1400 m
California counties: Mendocino, Marin, Trinity, San Mateo, Sonoma, Shasta, Tehama, Napa, Alameda
Bloom period
Erigeron reductus var. angustatus blooms Jun-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Bellis: Erigeron has double-layered pappus (outer scales + inner bristles); Bellis completely lacks pappus.; vs Symphyotrichum: Erigeron has double pappus (2 layers); Symphyotrichum has single layer of uniform bristles.; vs Corethrogyne: Erigeron has simple unbranched stems; Corethrogyne has branched stems.; vs Pseudognaphalium: Erigeron has flat button-like flower heads; Pseudognaphalium has woolly clustered heads without rays.; vs Artemisia: Erigeron has obvious ray petals around yellow disk; Artemisia lacks ray petals entirely.
Frequently asked questions
Is Erigeron reductus var. angustatus native to California?
Yes. Erigeron reductus var. angustatus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Erigeron reductus var. angustatus bloom?
Erigeron reductus var. angustatus blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Erigeron reductus var. angustatus grow?
Erigeron reductus var. angustatus occurs in Mendocino, Marin, Trinity, San Mateo, Sonoma, Shasta, Tehama, Napa and other counties, at elevations of 600-1400 m.
What plant family does Erigeron reductus var. angustatus belong to?
Erigeron reductus var. angustatus is in the Asteraceae family, genus Erigeron.
What habitat does Erigeron reductus var. angustatus grow in?
Erigeron reductus var. angustatus grows in Rocky sites, sometimes on serpentine, pine/oak woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.