Stephanomeria tenuifolia
Narrow-leaved wire-lettuce
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Stephanomeria tenuifolia (Narrow-leaved wire-lettuce) is a native California perennial in the Asteraceae family, recognized by thread-like leaves, small heads on long peduncles, and rocky high-elevation habitat.
Narrow-leaved wire-lettuce is a California native perennial found in the Sierra Nevada, Great Basin, desert mountains, and high montane regions on volcanic, granitic, and sandstone outcrops, rocky ridges, and cliff bases at elevations of 300 to 3,000 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces delicate light pink flowers in solitary heads about 5 to 15 millimeters long. Growing with erect to ascending stems 20 to 70 centimeters tall, it develops from a stout rhizome with few to many variable branches. Its lower leaves are linear to thread-like, 5 to 8 centimeters long, often withering by flowering time, while upper leaves become progressively smaller and bract-like. The fruit is 3 to 6 millimeters long with smooth faces and white, fully feathered pappus bristles.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; distinguished by thread-like leaves, small heads on long peduncles, and rocky high-elevation habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Volcanic, granitic, sandstone outcrops, rocky ridges, cliff bases
Elevation: 300-3000 m
Outside California: to Washington, North Dakota, Colorado, Texas, northwestern Mexico
Bloom period
Stephanomeria tenuifolia blooms Jul-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 tenuifolia native to California?
Yes. Stephanomeria tenuifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Stephanomeria tenuifolia bloom?
Stephanomeria tenuifolia blooms Jul-Aug.
What plant family does Stephanomeria tenuifolia belong to?
Stephanomeria tenuifolia is in the Asteraceae family, genus Stephanomeria.
What habitat does Stephanomeria tenuifolia grow in?
Stephanomeria tenuifolia grows in Volcanic, granitic, sandstone outcrops, rocky ridges, cliff bases.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.