Packera eurycephala var. lewisrosei
Lewis rose's ragwort
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Packera eurycephala var. lewisrosei (Lewis rose's ragwort) is a native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by . Distinguished by finely dissected leaves without winged midribs.
Lewis rose's ragwort is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in northern Sierra Nevada Mountains in serpentine-derived soil and rocky slopes at elevations of 100 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces yellow ray flowers 10 to 13 millimeters long with distinctive dense white tomentose phyllaries. Growing with a single stem that becomes less hairy with age, it reaches heights typically supporting delicate flowering heads. Its leaves feature remarkably intricate margins with finely dissected lateral lobes, creating an elaborate and lacy appearance. The plant's unique adaptation to serpentine soils and its intricately carved leaf structure make it a remarkable example of alpine botanical complexity.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species. Distinguished by finely dissected leaves without winged midribs.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Serpentine-derived soil, rocky slopes
Elevation: 100-1500 m
California counties: Butte, Plumas
Bloom period
Packera eurycephala var. lewisrosei blooms Apr-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Senecio: Packera has green or red bract tips and fibrous roots; Senecio often has black bract tips and taproots.; vs Jacobaea: Packera is native with soft-toothed leaf margins; Jacobaea is non-native with harder-edged leaves.; vs Arnica: Packera has alternate leaves and many small heads; Arnica has opposite leaves and fewer large heads.; vs Eriophyllum: Packera has green leaves with soft hairs; Eriophyllum has densely woolly gray-white leaves.; vs Eriogonum: Packera has yellow daisy flowers; buckwheat has ball-like clusters of tiny pink/white/yellow flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Packera eurycephala var. lewisrosei native to California?
Yes. Packera eurycephala var. lewisrosei is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Packera eurycephala var. lewisrosei bloom?
Packera eurycephala var. lewisrosei blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Packera eurycephala var. lewisrosei grow?
Packera eurycephala var. lewisrosei occurs in Butte, Plumas, at elevations of 100-1500 m.
What plant family does Packera eurycephala var. lewisrosei belong to?
Packera eurycephala var. lewisrosei is in the Asteraceae family, genus Packera.
Is Packera eurycephala var. lewisrosei rare or endangered?
Packera eurycephala var. lewisrosei carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.