Sphaeromeria potentilloides var. nitrophila

Alkali tansy-sage, Alkali Tansy-Sage

Family: Asteraceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2

Alkali tansy-sage is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native perennial found in central Sierra Nevada and eastern Sierra Nevada in generally alkaline areas at elevations of 1,600 to 2,200 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces white flowers in small heads with 1 to 3 clusters. Growing with compact stems 3 to 15 centimeters tall that are nearly leafless, it forms low, delicate mats in harsh alkaline environments. Its basal leaves are distinctively divided into pinnate segments, creating a lacy, intricate foliage pattern that helps the plant survive in challenging mineral-rich landscapes. The compact growth and finely divided leaves make this tansy-sage a remarkable adaptation to alkaline habitats.

Habitat: Generally alkaline areas

Bloom period: May-Jul

Elevation: 1600-2200 m

Bioregions: c SNH, SNE

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