Erigeron multiceps

Perennials, short-lived, 12-20 cm; taprooted, caudices simple or branched. Stems (single or multiple from bases) decumbent-ascending (branched from mid­stems), strigose (hairs fine, ascending-appressed), eglandular. Leaves mostly basal (persistent); blades spatulate to oblanceolate, 10-30 × 2-6 mm, cauline reduced distally, linear, margins entire, strigose, eglandular. Heads 1(-3 on proximal branches). Involucres 3.5-4 × 6-7 mm. Phyllaries in 3-4 series, sparsely hispid, minutely glandular. Ray florets 75-125; corollas white to purplish 5-8 mm, laminae not coiling or reflexing. Disc corollas 1.8-2.2 mm (throats white-indurate and somewhat inflated). Cypselae 0.7-0.9 mm, 2-nerved, sparsely strigose; pappi: outer of setae, inner of 5-8 bristles.

Flowering Jun-Aug. Dry, open meadows and meadow edges near mixed conifer and aspen stands, sometimes in disturbed sites such as logging roads, sandy creek banks, annual drainages, and washes; of conservation concern; 1500-2500 m; Calif., Nev.; Mexico (Baja California).

Although Erigeron multiceps has been considered to be indistinct or doubtfully distinct from E. divergens (see G. L. Nesom 1993f), California botanists with field experience note that the two taxa can be distinguished when occuring in close proximity. Plants of the type collection and some others have thick taproots and thickened caudex branches, unlike closely related species. Plants from Clark County, Nevada (Red Rock Canyon Recreation Area, Leary 4031, UNLV) have taproots with simple caudices, decumbent-ascending, strigose stems, and persistent basal leaves; they are technically, at least, identified as E. multiceps. The disjunct Mexican plants are closely similar to those in California.