Erigeron foliosus is native to western North America from Oregon, through California, into Baja California. It can be found in many habitats, including chaparral, oak woodlands, and rocky talus.
Description
In general, Erigeron foliosus is an erect, clumping and branching perennial daisy growing from woody roots to heights of anywhere between 20 centimetres (7.9 in) and 1 metre (3.3 ft).
Unlike some other fleabanes, it has leaves evenly spaced all over the stem. They may be thready or wide and flat, and are between 1–7 centimetres (0.39–2.76 in) long.
Atop each branch of the leafy stem is an inflorescence of one to several flower heads, each one to 1.5 centimetres (0.59 in) wide. The head has a center of golden yellow disc florets surrounded by a fringe of up to 60 pale to medium purple ray florets.
Varieties
The recognized varieties of Erigeron foliosus include:
Erigeron foliosus var. confinis (Howell) Jeps. — endemic to Klamath Mountains in northwestern California + southwestern Oregon
Erigeron foliosus var. foliosus — California (from Amador + San Mateo Counties south to San Diego County), Baja California
Erigeron foliosus var. franciscensis G.L.Nesom — endemic to San Francisco Bay Area
Erigeron foliosus var. hartwegii (Greene) Jeps. — California, Oregon
Erigeron foliosus var. mendocinus (Greene) G.L.Nesom — Mendocino erigeron, Mendocino fleabane; Mendocino and Del Norte County, California