Saussurea americana
American saw-wort
no rights reserved, uploaded by James H. Thomas · CC0
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Saussurea americana (American saw-wort) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by Only Saussurea species in California, at the southern extent of this circumboreal genus.
American saw-wort is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges in meadows and slopes at elevations of 1,700 to 1,800 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces white to dark purple flowers in compact clusters with pale green involucres 10 to 15 millimeters long. Growing with erect stems 30 to 120 centimeters tall emerging from a stout caudex, the plant has several to many stems that are loosely hairy and slightly glandular. Its lower leaves are 5 to 15 centimeters long, lanceolate to triangular in shape, with sharply toothed edges and pointed tips. The fruit is 4 to 6 millimeters long, with brown pappus bristles varying from 7 to 10 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Only Saussurea species in California, at the southern extent of this circumboreal genus
Habitat and range
Habitat: Meadows, slopes
Elevation: 1700-1800 m
Outside California: to Alaska, Montana
Bloom period
Saussurea americana blooms Jun-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Volutaria: Saussurea has simple bract tips; Volutaria has expanded papery bract tips.; vs Centaurea: Saussurea has simple unadorned bracts; Centaurea has fringed or comb-like bract tips.; vs Arctium: Saussurea has simple bract tips; Arctium has hooked curved spines on bracts.; vs Acroptilon: Saussurea has triangular sharply-toothed leaves; Acroptilon has linear often deeply-lobed leaves.; vs Dimeresia: Saussurea has large flower heads; Dimeresia has tiny 2mm flower heads in dense clusters.
Frequently asked questions
Is Saussurea americana native to California?
Yes. Saussurea americana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Saussurea americana bloom?
Saussurea americana blooms Jun-Aug.
What plant family does Saussurea americana belong to?
Saussurea americana is in the Asteraceae family, genus Saussurea.
Is Saussurea americana rare or endangered?
Saussurea americana carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S1.
What habitat does Saussurea americana grow in?
Saussurea americana grows in Meadows, slopes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.