Erigeron strigosus var. strigosus
Prairie fleabane
Enrico Blasutto (via Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Erigeron strigosus var. strigosus (Prairie fleabane) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by annual habit and numerous small heads distinctive.
Prairie fleabane is a naturalized annual herb found in California's Central Valley and Foothills in disturbed sites at elevations below 1,100 meters. Flowering from April to August, this plant produces white ray flowers in heads 10 to 12 millimeters wide with approximately 60 to 110 delicate white rays. Growing 30 to 80 centimeters tall with branched stems that are nearly smooth or sparsely hairy, it develops from fibrous roots. Its basal leaves are 3 to 6 centimeters long, elliptic to obovate, and covered in stiff, rough hairs, with cauline leaves becoming progressively smaller up the stem. The plant's white ray flowers are 5 to 6 millimeters long and stand out against its green foliage in open, disturbed landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 73 sympatric species; annual habit and numerous small heads distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed sites
Elevation: < 1100 m
Outside California: western United States, native to eastern United States
Bloom period
Erigeron strigosus var. strigosus blooms Apr-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 strigosus var. strigosus native to California?
Yes. Erigeron strigosus var. strigosus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Erigeron strigosus var. strigosus bloom?
Erigeron strigosus var. strigosus blooms Apr-Aug.
What plant family does Erigeron strigosus var. strigosus belong to?
Erigeron strigosus var. strigosus is in the Asteraceae family, genus Erigeron.
What habitat does Erigeron strigosus var. strigosus grow in?
Erigeron strigosus var. strigosus grows in Disturbed 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.