Erigeron reductus var. reductus
California rayless daisy
Photo: parent species Erigeron reductus · no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Erigeron reductus var. reductus (California rayless daisy) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by rayless heads and green phyllary tips diagnostic.
California rayless daisy is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges and northern Sierra Nevada Mountains in rocky crevices and open sites at elevations of 700 to 2,400 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces white to cream flowers with distinctive green-tipped phyllaries. Growing with slender stems 15 to 40 centimeters tall, it forms compact clusters in rocky habitats. Its leaves are typically narrow and elongated, clustered near the base of the plant with progressively smaller leaves up the stem. The fruit has 20 to 30 delicate pappus bristles, characteristic of its daisy-like ancestry.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 52 sympatric species; rayless heads and green phyllary tips diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Crevices, other open, rocky sites
Elevation: 700-2400 m
Bloom period
Erigeron reductus var. reductus 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. reductus native to California?
Yes. Erigeron reductus var. reductus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Erigeron reductus var. reductus bloom?
Erigeron reductus var. reductus blooms Jun-Aug.
What plant family does Erigeron reductus var. reductus belong to?
Erigeron reductus var. reductus is in the Asteraceae family, genus Erigeron.
What habitat does Erigeron reductus var. reductus grow in?
Erigeron reductus var. reductus grows in Crevices, other open, rocky sites.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.