Ivesia baileyi var. baileyi
Bailey's ivesia
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Family: Rosaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Ivesia baileyi var. baileyi (Bailey's ivesia) is a native California herb in the Rosaceae family, recognized by 5 stamens diagnostic, plus smooth fruit vs. ridged in var. beneolens.
Bailey's ivesia is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native perennial found in southern Modoc Plateau and adjacent Sierra Nevada Mountains in volcanic crevices at elevations of 1,700 to 2,200 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces pale yellow flowers in delicate clusters with pedicels 2 to 12 millimeters long. Growing with low, compact stems that spread across rocky terrain, it forms dense mats characteristic of high-elevation mountain environments. Its finely divided leaves create intricate, feather-like patterns across the volcanic substrate. The flower's hypanthium bractlets are approximately equal in length to the sepals, contributing to its distinctive alpine appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; 5 stamens diagnostic, plus smooth fruit vs. ridged in var. beneolens
Habitat and range
Habitat: Volcanic crevices
Elevation: 1700-2200 m
Outside California: northwestern Nevada
Bloom period
Ivesia baileyi var. baileyi blooms Jun-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.3
How to tell it apart
vs Achillea: Ivesia has rose-like flowers with separate petals; Achillea has composite flower heads with ray and disk flowers.; vs Potentilla: Ivesia has cylindrical bottlebrush leaves with 4-80 tiny leaflets per side; Potentilla has flat leaves with spread-out leaflets.; vs Horkelia: Ivesia has cylindrical leaves with overlapping leaflets; Horkelia has flat leaves with 2-15 distinct, separated leaflets.; vs Eremogone: Ivesia has compound bottlebrush leaves; Eremogone has simple, needle-like or thread-like leaves.; vs Cryptantha: Ivesia has rose-family flowers with separate petals; Cryptantha has fused tubular corollas typical of borages.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ivesia baileyi var. baileyi native to California?
Yes. Ivesia baileyi var. baileyi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ivesia baileyi var. baileyi bloom?
Ivesia baileyi var. baileyi blooms Jun-Jul.
What plant family does Ivesia baileyi var. baileyi belong to?
Ivesia baileyi var. baileyi is in the Rosaceae family, genus Ivesia.
Is Ivesia baileyi var. baileyi rare or endangered?
Ivesia baileyi var. baileyi carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S2.
What habitat does Ivesia baileyi var. baileyi grow in?
Ivesia baileyi var. baileyi grows in Volcanic crevices.
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.