Microseris borealis
Northern microseris, Northern Microseris
no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.1
Microseris borealis (Northern microseris) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by perennial habit and bog habitat are distinctive.
Northern microseris is a rare (CNPS 2B.1) California native perennial found in the northern Coast Ranges, specifically in Bald Mountain area of Humboldt County, inhabiting wet meadows and sphagnum bogs at elevations around 1,000 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces bright yellow flowers in elongated heads with ligules up to 18 to 50 millimeters long. Growing 15 to 70 centimeters tall with a scapose habit emerging from a rhizome-like caudex, it develops several fleshy roots. Its basal leaves stretch 6 to 30 centimeters long, ranging from entire to slightly toothed along the margins. The distinctive fruit features 24 to 48 brown bristles that are 5 to 10 millimeters long and barbed, with a brownish seed body 4 to 8 millimeters in size.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; perennial habit and bog habitat are distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet meadows, sphagnum bogs
Elevation: 1000 m
Outside California: to Alaska
Bloom period
Microseris borealis blooms Jul-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.1
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 borealis native to California?
Yes. Microseris borealis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Microseris borealis bloom?
Microseris borealis blooms Jul-Sep.
What plant family does Microseris borealis belong to?
Microseris borealis is in the Asteraceae family, genus Microseris.
Is Microseris borealis rare or endangered?
Microseris borealis carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Microseris borealis grow in?
Microseris borealis grows in Wet meadows, sphagnum bogs.
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.