Microseris acuminata
Needle microseris
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Microseris acuminata (Needle microseris) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by linear-lobed leaves and pappus structure.
Needle microseris is a California native annual found in northern California bioregions including the North Coast Ranges, Cascade Range Foothills, northern Sierra Nevada Forests, Sacramento Valley, northern San Joaquin Valley, eastern San Francisco Bay Area, and southern Coast Ranges in grassy, open rocky or clay soil at elevations below 760 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces distinctive yellow ligulate flowers in heads with involucres 10 to 22 millimeters long. Growing slender and upright with scapose stems 5 to 35 centimeters tall, it emerges delicately from open grassland habitats. Its leaves are 3 to 20 centimeters long, generally linear with distinctive lobed edges. The fruit has an interesting form, with a 4.5 to 7 millimeter body that flares at the tip and is evenly brown in color.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species; distinguished by linear-lobed leaves and pappus structure
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassy, open rocky or clay soil
Elevation: < 760 m
Outside California: southern Oregon
Bloom period
Microseris acuminata blooms Apr-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Uropappus: Microseris buds nod before opening; Uropappus buds stay erect and have exactly 5 silvery pappus scales.; vs Agoseris: Microseris has scale-like pappus; Agoseris has bristle-like pappus.; vs Stebbinsoseris: Microseris has triangular to oval pappus scales; Stebbinsoseris has lance-shaped scales.; vs Hypochaeris: Microseris has smooth flower stems; Hypochaeris has branched stems with small leaves.; vs Achyrachaena: Microseris has scale pappus and nodding buds; Achyrachaena has ray and disk flowers with different pappi.
Frequently asked questions
Is Microseris acuminata native to California?
Yes. Microseris acuminata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Microseris acuminata bloom?
Microseris acuminata blooms Apr-Jun.
What plant family does Microseris acuminata belong to?
Microseris acuminata is in the Asteraceae family, genus Microseris.
What habitat does Microseris acuminata grow in?
Microseris acuminata grows in Grassy, open rocky or clay soil.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.