Microseris elegans
Elegant silverpuffs
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Microseris elegans (Elegant silverpuffs) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by smallest involucre and fruits, with distinctive flat white pappus scales.
Elegant silverpuffs is a California native annual found in the North Coast Ranges, California Red Fir Forest, Sierra Nevada Foothills, Central Valley, San Francisco Bay Area, South Coast Ranges, Southern California, and Channel Islands in clay grasslands and near vernal pools at elevations below 700 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces yellow to orange flowers in heads 4 to 8 millimeters long with distinctive ligules. Growing with slender scapose stems 5 to 35 centimeters tall, it emerges from the ground with delicate, branching flower stalks. Its leaves are 2 to 20 centimeters long, generally lobed and spreading near the base of the plant. The fruit is 1.5 to 3 millimeters long, widest at the tip and ranging from evenly brown to nearly black, with small white pappus scales.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species; smallest involucre and fruits, with distinctive flat white pappus scales
Habitat and range
Habitat: Generally inland clay grassland, often near vernal pools (coastal in SW)
Elevation: < 700 m
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Microseris elegans 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 elegans native to California?
Yes. Microseris elegans is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Microseris elegans bloom?
Microseris elegans blooms Apr-Jun.
What plant family does Microseris elegans belong to?
Microseris elegans is in the Asteraceae family, genus Microseris.
What habitat does Microseris elegans grow in?
Microseris elegans grows in Generally inland clay grassland, often near vernal pools (coastal in SW).
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.