Stephanomeria parryi
Parry rock pink
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Stephanomeria parryi (Parry rock pink) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by perennial habit, spine-tipped leaves, and desert mountain habitat.
Parry rock pink is a California native perennial found in the eastern Sierra Nevada and Mojave Desert mountains on gravelly slopes at elevations of 700 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces white to pale lavender flowers in delicate heads 10 to 14 millimeters long arranged in small clusters. Growing with ascending stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall emerging from a stout rhizome, it develops 1 to 3 branches with an upright form. Its leaves are linear to lance-shaped, 2 to 8 centimeters long, with slightly thickened edges and weakly spine-tipped teeth, presenting a distinctive green coloration. The fruit develops 4.5 to 6 millimeters long with well-defined ribs and bumpy surfaces, topped with plumose white to tan pappus bristles.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; distinguished by perennial habit, spine-tipped leaves, and desert mountain habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Gravelly slopes
Elevation: 700-2000 m
Outside California: Nevada, Utah, Arizona
Bloom period
Stephanomeria parryi blooms May-Jun.
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 parryi native to California?
Yes. Stephanomeria parryi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Stephanomeria parryi bloom?
Stephanomeria parryi blooms May-Jun.
What plant family does Stephanomeria parryi belong to?
Stephanomeria parryi is in the Asteraceae family, genus Stephanomeria.
What habitat does Stephanomeria parryi grow in?
Stephanomeria parryi grows in Gravelly slopes.
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.