Erigeron serpentinus
Serpentine daisy
(c) Roger Raiche, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Erigeron serpentinus (Serpentine daisy) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by serpentine habitat and curling rays diagnostic.
Serpentine daisy is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in northwestern Sonoma County in serpentine scrub at elevations of 400 to 600 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces white flowers with a bluish tinge when dry, with ray flowers 7 to 8 millimeters long. Growing 30 to 45 centimeters tall with many stems branching near the tips, it emerges from a woody taproot with an upright, generally glabrous form. Its cauline leaves are linear to thread-like, 2 to 4 centimeters long, evenly sized and spaced along the stem with subtle ciliate edges. The flower heads are small and compact, with 1 to 4 heads per plant and involucres 9 to 12 millimeters in diameter.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 16 sympatric species; serpentine habitat and curling rays diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Serpentine scrub
Elevation: 400-600 m
California counties: Sonoma, Tuolumne
Bloom period
Erigeron serpentinus blooms May-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.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 serpentinus native to California?
Yes. Erigeron serpentinus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Erigeron serpentinus bloom?
Erigeron serpentinus blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Erigeron serpentinus grow?
Erigeron serpentinus occurs in Sonoma, Tuolumne, at elevations of 400-600 m.
What plant family does Erigeron serpentinus belong to?
Erigeron serpentinus is in the Asteraceae family, genus Erigeron.
Is Erigeron serpentinus rare or endangered?
Erigeron serpentinus carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1.
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.