Microseris laciniata subsp. siskiyouensis
Photo: parent species Microseris laciniata · (c) Don Boucher, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Microseris laciniata subsp. siskiyouensis is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by perennial habit and fully barbed bristles distinguish from other subspecies.
Siskiyou microseris is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges in open grasslands, meadows, rocky slopes, and forest edges at elevations up to 2,000 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces pale yellow to white flowers in heads with 13 to 50 individual blooms. Growing with a thick, somewhat elongated taproot, it forms slender stems that rise from a basal rosette of deeply divided leaves. Its leaves are deeply lacerate, creating a delicate, feathery appearance with narrow, deeply cut segments. The fruit features a pappus with small scales and barbed bristles, helping seeds disperse across its open habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; perennial habit and fully barbed bristles distinguish from other subspecies
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open grassland, meadows, rocky slopes, forest edge
Elevation: < 2000 m
Outside California: southwestern Oregon
Bloom period
Microseris laciniata subsp. siskiyouensis blooms May-Jul.
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. siskiyouensis native to California?
Yes. Microseris laciniata subsp. siskiyouensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Microseris laciniata subsp. siskiyouensis bloom?
Microseris laciniata subsp. siskiyouensis blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Microseris laciniata subsp. siskiyouensis belong to?
Microseris laciniata subsp. siskiyouensis is in the Asteraceae family, genus Microseris.
What habitat does Microseris laciniata subsp. siskiyouensis grow in?
Microseris laciniata subsp. siskiyouensis 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.