Packera hesperia

Western ragwort

Family: Asteraceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2

Western ragwort is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges on serpentine-derived soils in open woodland scrub at elevations of 500 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces white ray flowers 6 to 10 millimeters long with yellow disk centers in heads with 8 or 13 rays. Growing with a slender fibrous-rooted caudex and stems 7 to 15 centimeters tall, it appears delicate and low-growing. Its basal leaves are distinctively ovate or oblanceolate, 1 to 3 centimeters long, with entire or slightly toothed edges, while cauline leaves become progressively smaller and bract-like. The plant's phyllaries are green with reddish tips and densely woolly at the base, adding a subtle textural complexity to its appearance.

Habitat: Serpentine-derived soils, open woodland scrub

Bloom period: Apr-Jun

Elevation: 500-2500 m

Bioregions: KR

California counties: Del Norte

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