Erigeron supplex
Supple daisy
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Erigeron supplex (Supple daisy) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by coastal habitat unique.
Supple daisy is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in northern coastal California bioregions in coastal areas and bluffs at elevations below 50 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces yellow flowers in small heads about 15 to 20 millimeters wide, with delicate ray flowers. Growing 15 to 40 centimeters tall with ascending stems that are occasionally sparsely hairy, it emerges from a slender-branched, rhizome-like caudex. Its basal leaves are elliptic to oblanceolate, 4 to 8 centimeters long, with ciliate edges and nearly glabrous surfaces. Its cauline leaves gradually reduce in size up the stem, creating a delicate and understated botanical profile.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; coastal habitat unique
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal areas, bluffs
Elevation: < 50 m
Bloom period
Erigeron supplex 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 supplex native to California?
Yes. Erigeron supplex is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Erigeron supplex bloom?
Erigeron supplex blooms May-Aug.
What plant family does Erigeron supplex belong to?
Erigeron supplex is in the Asteraceae family, genus Erigeron.
Is Erigeron supplex rare or endangered?
Erigeron supplex carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
What habitat does Erigeron supplex grow in?
Erigeron supplex grows in Coastal areas, bluffs.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.