Tetraneuris acaulis var. arizonica
Arizona four nerve daisy
Stan Shebs (via Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Tetraneuris acaulis var. arizonica (Arizona four nerve daisy) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by Only Tetraneuris species reaching California from primarily Great Plains distribution.
Arizona four nerve daisy is a California native perennial found in the San Jacinto Mountains and Desert Mountains in roadsides, hillsides, grassland, aspen meadows, and forest edges at elevations of 1,300 to 2,900 meters. Flowering from April to September, this plant produces yellow daisy-like flowers with ray flowers 11 to 17 millimeters long in heads 12 to 16 millimeters wide. Growing with a compact form 6 to 15 centimeters tall, it features a caudex with notably thickened branches and multiple stems. Its leaves are 2 to 6 centimeters long, spoon-shaped to oblanceolate, densely covered with glandular dots. The fruit is 3 to 3.7 millimeters long with 5 to 7 pappus scales.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Only Tetraneuris species reaching California from primarily Great Plains distribution
Habitat and range
Habitat: Roadsides, hillsides, grassland, aspen meadows, forest edges
Elevation: 1300-2900 m
Outside California: to Idaho, Colorado, Arizona
Bloom period
Tetraneuris acaulis var. arizonica blooms Apr-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Gazania: Tetraneuris heads are under 3 cm with clear sap; Gazania heads are 3.5-8 cm with milky sap.; vs Eriophyllum: Tetraneuris forms tight cushions; Eriophyllum is taller and more openly branched.; vs Lasthenia: Tetraneuris has resin-dotted leaves in cushions; Lasthenia is openly branched with smooth leaves.; vs Baileya: Tetraneuris forms compact cushions; Baileya is a tall, woolly-white plant with multiple heads.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tetraneuris acaulis var. arizonica native to California?
Yes. Tetraneuris acaulis var. arizonica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Tetraneuris acaulis var. arizonica bloom?
Tetraneuris acaulis var. arizonica blooms Apr-Sep.
What plant family does Tetraneuris acaulis var. arizonica belong to?
Tetraneuris acaulis var. arizonica is in the Asteraceae family, genus Tetraneuris.
What habitat does Tetraneuris acaulis var. arizonica grow in?
Tetraneuris acaulis var. arizonica grows in Roadsides, hillsides, grassland, aspen meadows, forest edges.
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.