Stephanomeria exigua subsp. coronaria
Photo: parent species Stephanomeria exigua · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Stephanomeria exigua subsp. coronaria is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by short peduncles and appressed phyllaries from other S. exigua forms.
slender wreathlike stephanomeria is a California native annual found in the Sierra Nevada, Tehachapi Mountains, San Joaquin Valley, Central Coast, Channel Islands, Transverse Ranges, Great Basin, and Desert Mountains in coastal sandy sites, grasslands, forest openings, and volcanic or limestone soils at elevations below 2,800 meters. Flowering from June to November, this plant produces delicate white flowers in single or clustered heads along branch nodes. Growing with thin, branching stems reaching 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it forms a delicate, open structure. Its leaves are narrow and deeply lobed, becoming smaller and more reduced up the stem. The small fruits are topped with white plumose bristles that are fused at the base, giving the plant a distinctive feathery appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species; distinguished by short peduncles and appressed phyllaries from other S. exigua forms
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal sandy sites, grassland, forest openings, limestone, volcanic soils in sagebrush desert
Elevation: < 2800 m
Outside California: Oregon, southwestern Idaho, Nevada
Bloom period
Stephanomeria exigua subsp. coronaria blooms Jun-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 exigua subsp. coronaria native to California?
Yes. Stephanomeria exigua subsp. coronaria is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Stephanomeria exigua subsp. coronaria bloom?
Stephanomeria exigua subsp. coronaria blooms Jun-Nov.
What plant family does Stephanomeria exigua subsp. coronaria belong to?
Stephanomeria exigua subsp. coronaria is in the Asteraceae family, genus Stephanomeria.
What habitat does Stephanomeria exigua subsp. coronaria grow in?
Stephanomeria exigua subsp. coronaria grows in Coastal sandy sites, grassland, forest openings, limestone, volcanic soils in sagebrush desert.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.