Microseris nutans
Nodding microceris
(c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Microseris nutans (Nodding microceris) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by high elevation habitat and plumose pappus bristles.
Nodding microceris is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, California Ranges, Sierra Nevada, and Modoc Plateau in moist, rocky meadows, open conifer woodland, and sagebrush scrub at elevations of 1,000 to 3,400 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces distinctive yellow ligulate flowers in heads 8 to 22 millimeters long with slightly mealy and black-hairy involucres. Growing with branched stems 10 to 70 centimeters tall that are leafy toward the base, it has an upright and open growth habit. Its leaves range from 5 to 30 centimeters long, varying from entire to distinctly lobed. The fruit is pale brown to reddish, 3.5 to 8 millimeters long, with silvery pappus scales and plumose bristles.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; high elevation habitat and plumose pappus bristles are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Moist, rocky meadows, open conifer woodland, sagebrush scrub
Elevation: 1000-3400 m
Outside California: to British Columbia, South Dakota, Colorado
Bloom period
Microseris nutans blooms Apr-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 nutans native to California?
Yes. Microseris nutans is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Microseris nutans bloom?
Microseris nutans blooms Apr-Jul.
What plant family does Microseris nutans belong to?
Microseris nutans is in the Asteraceae family, genus Microseris.
What habitat does Microseris nutans grow in?
Microseris nutans grows in Common. Moist, rocky meadows, open conifer woodland, sagebrush scrub.
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.