Microseris laciniata subsp. leptosepala
Photo: parent species Microseris laciniata · (c) Don Boucher, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Microseris laciniata subsp. leptosepala is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by perennial habit and distinctive mealy, black-hairy outer phyllaries with fleshy keel.
slender-leaf microseris is a California native perennial found in northwestern California grasslands, meadows, rocky slopes, and forest edges at elevations below 2,000 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces pale yellow flowers with delicate, deeply divided petals in heads 13 to 70 millimeters long. Growing with an elongated thick taproot and slender stems up to 40 centimeters tall, it emerges from a compact base. Its leaves are deeply lacerated, creating a feathery, finely dissected appearance with narrow, linear segments that rise from the base of the plant. The fruit features small pappus scales less than 2.5 millimeters long, characteristic of its delicate grassland habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 12 sympatric species; perennial habit and distinctive mealy, black-hairy outer phyllaries with fleshy keel
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open grassland, meadows, rocky slopes, forest edge
Elevation: < 2000 m
Outside California: to southwestern Washington
Bloom period
Microseris laciniata subsp. leptosepala blooms May-Aug.
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 laciniata subsp. leptosepala native to California?
Yes. Microseris laciniata subsp. leptosepala is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Microseris laciniata subsp. leptosepala bloom?
Microseris laciniata subsp. leptosepala blooms May-Aug.
What plant family does Microseris laciniata subsp. leptosepala belong to?
Microseris laciniata subsp. leptosepala is in the Asteraceae family, genus Microseris.
What habitat does Microseris laciniata subsp. leptosepala grow in?
Microseris laciniata subsp. leptosepala grows in Open grassland, meadows, rocky slopes, forest edge.
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.