Stephanomeria virgata subsp. virgata
(c) Jerry Kirkhart, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Stephanomeria virgata subsp. virgata is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by subsp. pleurocarpa by strongly reflexed phyllaries and more flowers.
Slender wreathplant is a California native annual herb found in southern Coast Ranges and southwestern California in chaparral openings and grasslands at elevations below 1,800 meters. Flowering from June to October, this plant produces delicate white flowers in distinctive clusters where the outer phyllaries are strongly curved back. Growing with thin, branching stems that spread or rise upward, it forms an open, airy structure typical of desert and dry grassland environments. Its narrow leaves are sparse and elongated, adapting to the plant's minimalist growth strategy in dry habitats. The flowering heads contain approximately 8 to 9 individual flowers, creating a delicate and intricate botanical display.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; distinguished from subsp. pleurocarpa by strongly reflexed phyllaries and more flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral openings, grassland
Elevation: < 1800 m
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Stephanomeria virgata subsp. virgata blooms Jun-Oct.
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 virgata subsp. virgata native to California?
Yes. Stephanomeria virgata subsp. virgata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Stephanomeria virgata subsp. virgata bloom?
Stephanomeria virgata subsp. virgata blooms Jun-Oct.
What plant family does Stephanomeria virgata subsp. virgata belong to?
Stephanomeria virgata subsp. virgata is in the Asteraceae family, genus Stephanomeria.
What habitat does Stephanomeria virgata subsp. virgata grow in?
Stephanomeria virgata subsp. virgata grows in Chaparral openings, grassland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Stephanomeria cichoriacea — Silver rock-lettuce
- Stephanomeria diegensis — San diego milk aster
- Stephanomeria elata — Annual mitra
- Stephanomeria exigua — Small wirelettuce
- Stephanomeria exigua subsp. carotifera
- Stephanomeria exigua subsp. coronaria
- Stylocline citroleum — Oil neststraw
- Stylocline gnaphaloides — Everlasting neststraw
- Stylocline intertexta — Mojave neststraw
- Stylocline masonii — Mason's neststraw
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.