Erigeron sanctarum
Saints' daisy
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Erigeron sanctarum (Saints' daisy) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by coastal habitat and purple rays distinctive.
Saints' daisy is a California native perennial herb found in the southern Central Coast, southern South Coast Ranges, and northern Channel Islands in sandy coastal scrub or woodland sites at elevations below 500 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces lavender to purple ray flowers in heads 12 to 17 millimeters wide, with 45 to 90 rays 7 to 13 millimeters long. Growing with ascending stems 5 to 35 centimeters tall that have few branches near the middle and sparse short spreading hairs, it emerges from thin, often stolon-like underground branches. Its leaves vary from oblanceolate to spoon-shaped basal leaves 2 to 5 centimeters long to narrower lanceolate cauline leaves that are sometimes slightly clasping. The plant's delicate flower heads feature phyllaries with spreading hairs that typically have black cross-walls, giving it a distinctive appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 12 sympatric species; coastal habitat and purple rays distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy sites, coastal scrub or woodland
Elevation: < 500 m
Bloom period
Erigeron sanctarum blooms Mar-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
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 sanctarum native to California?
Yes. Erigeron sanctarum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Erigeron sanctarum bloom?
Erigeron sanctarum blooms Mar-Jun.
What plant family does Erigeron sanctarum belong to?
Erigeron sanctarum is in the Asteraceae family, genus Erigeron.
Is Erigeron sanctarum rare or endangered?
Erigeron sanctarum carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S3.
What habitat does Erigeron sanctarum grow in?
Erigeron sanctarum grows in Sandy sites, coastal scrub or woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.