Microseris douglasii
Douglas' microseris
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Microseris douglasii (Douglas' microseris) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family.
Douglas' microseris is a California native annual herb found in open grasslands and oak woodlands of coastal and central California at elevations of 50 to 1,000 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces yellow or white flowers in small heads up to 16 millimeters long. Growing with slender scapose stems 10 to 60 centimeters tall, it emerges from a delicate root system. Its leaves are long and narrow, measuring 3 to 25 centimeters in length, typically appearing basal and grass-like. The fruit is distinctive, ranging from gray to dark brown or nearly black, often speckled and featuring silvery to dark pappus scales.
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 douglasii native to California?
Yes. Microseris douglasii is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Microseris douglasii belong to?
Microseris douglasii is in the Asteraceae family, genus Microseris.
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.