Erigeron chrysopsidis

A. Gray

in A. Gray et al., Syn. Fl. N. Amer. 1(2): 210. 1884.

Common names: Dwarf yellow fleabane
Endemic
Basionym: Chrysopsis hirtella de Candolle in A. P. de Candolle and A. L. P. P. de Candolle, Prodr. 5: 327. 1836,
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 20. Treatment on page 287. Mentioned on page 260, 265, 271.

Perennials, 3–15 cm; taprooted, caudices branched. Stems erect (bracteate), evenly hispidulous to hirsute, usually minutely glandular. Leaves mostly basal (in tufts, persistent) (petioles prominently ciliate, hairs spreading, thick-based); blades linear to linear-oblanceolate, 40–70(–90) × 1–3 mm, cauline reduced to bracts (bases relatively thin, not sheathing), margins entire, coarsely ciliate, faces hispidulous to loosely strigose. Heads 1. Involucres (3.5–)4.5–7.5 × 9–17 mm. Phyllaries in 2–3 series, sparsely hispid, minutely glandular. Ray (pistillate) florets 20–60; corollas tubular, lacking laminae, or laminae yellow (sometimes fading on drying and appearing whitish or creamy), 2–10 mm, not coiling or reflexing. Disc corollas 4–4.5 mm (throats tubular). Cypselae 2–2.5 mm, 2-nerved, faces sparsely strigose (carpopodia yellowish); pappi: outer of inconspicuous setae, inner of 15–25 bristles.

Distribution

V20-594-distribution-map.gif

Calif., Idaho, Nev., Oreg., Wash.

Discussion

Varieties 3 (3 in the flora).

Intermediates between var. austiniae and var. chrysopsidis are formed in Oregon and Idaho, where their ranges overlap.

Selected References

None.

Key

1 Ray (pistillate) laminae absent or not surpassing involucres; involucres 4.5–6 mm; stems hirsuto-villous Erigeron chrysopsidis var. austiniae
1 Ray laminae well developed (surpassing involucres); involucres 3.5–7.5 mm; stems hirsuto-villous or strigose > 2
2 Involucres 3.5–5.5 mm; ray corolla laminae 4–7 mm; stems strigose to hirsuto-villous Erigeron chrysopsidis var. brevifolius
2 Involucres 5–6.5(–7.5) mm; ray corolla laminae (6–)8–11 mm; stems hirsuto-villous Erigeron chrysopsidis var. chrysopsidis