Sericocarpus oregonensis subsp. californicus
Photo: parent species Sericocarpus oregonensis · no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Sericocarpus oregonensis subsp. californicus is a native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by differentiated primarily by geographic distribution and elevation range.
Oregon white-rayed buckwheat is a California native perennial found in northern coastal ranges, California ranges, and Sierra Nevada in open woodlands at elevations of 500 to 2,750 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces white flowers in small compact clusters with ray and disk flowers. Growing with erect stems 15 to 45 centimeters tall, it forms a delicate and branching habit. Its leaves are narrow and lance-shaped, becoming smaller and more sparse toward the stem's upper portions. The fruit is a small, dry seed enclosed in a white to silvery-white involucre.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; differentiated primarily by geographic distribution and elevation range
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open woodland
Elevation: 500-2750 m
California counties: Amador, Calaveras, Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Yuba, Butte, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Tuolumne, Tulare, Mendocino
Bloom period
Sericocarpus oregonensis subsp. californicus blooms Jul-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Chaetopappa: Sericocarpus has clustered heads with white disks; Chaetopappa typically yellow disks.; vs Symphyotrichum: Sericocarpus has white disk flowers in tight clusters; Symphyotrichum has yellow disk flowers.; vs Eurybia: Sericocarpus heads tightly clustered; Eurybia heads more loosely arranged.; vs Almutaster: Sericocarpus heads clustered at tips; Almutaster heads solitary on long branches.; vs Machaeranthera: Sericocarpus has simple leaves and white disks; Machaeranthera has fern-like leaves and yellow disks.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sericocarpus oregonensis subsp. californicus native to California?
Yes. Sericocarpus oregonensis subsp. californicus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Sericocarpus oregonensis subsp. californicus bloom?
Sericocarpus oregonensis subsp. californicus blooms Jul-Sep.
Where in California does Sericocarpus oregonensis subsp. californicus grow?
Sericocarpus oregonensis subsp. californicus occurs in Amador, Calaveras, Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou and other counties, at elevations of 500-2750 m.
What plant family does Sericocarpus oregonensis subsp. californicus belong to?
Sericocarpus oregonensis subsp. californicus is in the Asteraceae family, genus Sericocarpus.
What habitat does Sericocarpus oregonensis subsp. californicus grow in?
Sericocarpus oregonensis subsp. californicus grows in Open woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.