Packera eurycephala var. lewisrosei

Lewis rose's ragwort

Family: Asteraceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2

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.

Habitat: Serpentine-derived soil, rocky slopes

Bloom period: Apr-Jun

Elevation: 100-1500 m

Bioregions: n SNH.

California counties: Butte, Plumas

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.