Packera hesperia
Western ragwort
(c) Asher Budnik, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Asher Budnik · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Packera hesperia (Western ragwort) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by . Distinguished by small stature and few flower heads.
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.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species. Distinguished by small stature and few flower heads.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Serpentine-derived soils, open woodland scrub
Elevation: 500-2500 m
California counties: Del Norte
Outside California: Oregon
Bloom period
Packera hesperia blooms Apr-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.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 hesperia native to California?
Yes. Packera hesperia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Packera hesperia bloom?
Packera hesperia blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Packera hesperia grow?
Packera hesperia occurs in Del Norte, at elevations of 500-2500 m.
What plant family does Packera hesperia belong to?
Packera hesperia is in the Asteraceae family, genus Packera.
Is Packera hesperia rare or endangered?
Packera hesperia carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S1.
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.