Stephanomeria lactucina
Forest stephanomeria
(c) Hilary Rose Dawson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Stephanomeria lactucina (Forest stephanomeria) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by perennial habit, persistent green leaves, and large solitary heads.
Forest stephanomeria is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, high Cascade Range, northern and central Sierra Nevada Mountains, and Modoc Plateau in sandy soils and openings of yellow-pine and red-fir forests at elevations of 1,100 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces delicate pink ligulate flowers in solitary heads approximately 12 to 14 millimeters long. Growing with slender stems 0.5 to 6 decimeters tall, it emerges from a thin rhizome with 1 to 4 erect or ascending branches. Its leaves range from 3 to 8 centimeters long, linear to lanceolate, and are green at flowering time with entire or slightly toothed margins. The fruit develops 5 to 6 millimeters long with smooth faces and light tan pappus bristles that are wholly plumose and persistently attached.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; distinguished by perennial habit, persistent green leaves, and large solitary heads
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy soils, openings in yellow-pine, red-fir forests
Elevation: 1100-2300 m
Outside California: Oregon
Bloom period
Stephanomeria lactucina blooms Jun-Aug.
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 lactucina native to California?
Yes. Stephanomeria lactucina is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Stephanomeria lactucina bloom?
Stephanomeria lactucina blooms Jun-Aug.
What plant family does Stephanomeria lactucina belong to?
Stephanomeria lactucina is in the Asteraceae family, genus Stephanomeria.
What habitat does Stephanomeria lactucina grow in?
Stephanomeria lactucina grows in Sandy soils, openings in yellow-pine, red-fir forests.
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.