Erigeron robustior
Robust daisy, Robust Daisy
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Trevor Van Loon · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Erigeron robustior (Robust daisy) is a native California perennial in the Asteraceae family, recognized by large size and few large heads distinctive.
Robust daisy is a California native perennial herb found in northern California Coast Ranges in grassy openings and meadows, sometimes on serpentine, at elevations of 200 to 500 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces white or pink ray flowers in heads 15 to 20 millimeters wide with multiple long-stalked flower clusters. Growing 15 to 55 centimeters tall with generally decumbent stems that are often purple-tinged and sparsely hairy, it emerges from a slender taproot with a simple caudex. Its basal leaves are linear to narrowly oblanceolate, 8 to 17 centimeters long and three-veined, becoming progressively smaller and rougher toward the stem's upper portions. The flower heads feature 21 to 36 ray flowers, with rays 9 to 19 millimeters long that remain straight when dry.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 16 sympatric species; large size and few large heads distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassy openings, meadows, sometimes on serpentine
Elevation: 200-500 m
Bloom period
Erigeron robustior blooms Jun-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 robustior native to California?
Yes. Erigeron robustior is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Erigeron robustior bloom?
Erigeron robustior blooms Jun-Jul.
What plant family does Erigeron robustior belong to?
Erigeron robustior is in the Asteraceae family, genus Erigeron.
Is Erigeron robustior rare or endangered?
Erigeron robustior carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3.
What habitat does Erigeron robustior grow in?
Erigeron robustior grows in Grassy openings, meadows, sometimes on serpentine.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.