Kingdom Plantae Genus Microseris Higher classification Microseris | Order Asterales Scientific name Microseris nutans Rank Species | |
 | ||
Similar Microseris, Daisy family, Hieracium albiflorum, Antennaria anaphaloides, Crepis acuminata | ||
Microseris nutans is a species of flowering plant in the aster family known by the common name nodding microseris. It is native to western North America, including southwestern Canada and much of the western United States, including the Sierra Nevada in California, where it grows in many types of habitat.
Description
The plant is variable in appearance. In general, it is a perennial herb growing up to 70 centimeters tall with a branching stem. The plentiful leaves are up to 30 centimeters in length and generally toothed or lobed along the edges.
The somewhat hairy inflorescence is borne on an erect or upright peduncle. The often nodding flower head contains up to 50 yellow ray florets. The fruit is an achene with a brownish or reddish body a few millimeters long. At the tip of the body is a large pappus made up of 15 to 30 silvery, hairy scales.