Stephanomeria cichoriacea
Silver rock-lettuce, chicoryleaf wire-lettuce, Chicoryleaf Wire-Lettuce
(c) Daniel S., some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Daniel S. · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Stephanomeria cichoriacea (Silver rock-lettuce) is a native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by perennial habit, large persistent basal leaves, and coastal rock habitat.
Silver rock-lettuce is a California native perennial found in southern coastal ranges, coastal southern California, Channel Islands, Transverse Ranges, and Peninsular Ranges in rock faces, coastal scrub, and chaparral at elevations below 1,500 meters. Flowering from May to November, this plant produces pink to lavender flowers in small heads 12 to 15 millimeters long. Growing with erect stems 40 to 100 centimeters tall, it emerges from a large, branched woody base with one to many rosettes and stems covered in soft, woolly hairs. Its basal leaves are 10 to 20 centimeters long, narrowly lanceolate to spoon-shaped, with entire or toothed edges and a dense, fuzzy texture that is especially prominent when young. The fruit is 5 to 6 millimeters long with smooth surfaces and white to pale brown feathery pappus bristles.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; distinguished by perennial habit, large persistent basal leaves, and coastal rock habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: rock faces, coastal scrub, chaparral
Elevation: < 1500 m
Bloom period
Stephanomeria cichoriacea blooms May-Nov.
How to tell it apart
vs Cichorium: Stephanomeria has pink-lavender flowers; chicory has bright blue flowers that close by noon; vs Malacothrix: Stephanomeria has pink-lavender flowers; Malacothrix has yellow or white flowers; vs Epilobium: Stephanomeria has dandelion-like composite flowers; Epilobium has 4-petaled simple flowers; vs Lactuca: Stephanomeria has small pink heads on wiry stems; Lactuca has yellow/blue flowers on leafy stems; vs Rafinesquia: Stephanomeria has pink-lavender flowers; Rafinesquia has white or cream flowers
Frequently asked questions
Is Stephanomeria cichoriacea native to California?
Yes. Stephanomeria cichoriacea is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Stephanomeria cichoriacea bloom?
Stephanomeria cichoriacea blooms May-Nov.
What plant family does Stephanomeria cichoriacea belong to?
Stephanomeria cichoriacea is in the Asteraceae family, genus Stephanomeria.
What habitat does Stephanomeria cichoriacea grow in?
Stephanomeria cichoriacea grows in rock faces, coastal scrub, chaparral.
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.