Pygmy Fleabane

Erigeron pygmaeus is found in the Sierra Nevada.

Perennials, 1–6(–14) cm; taprooted, caudex branches relatively thick, retaining old leaf bases. Stems erect, hirtellous to sparsely hirsute (hairs straight-spreading, not deflexed), densely minutely glandular. Leaves basal (persistent) and cauline (petioles prominently ciliate, hairs spreading, thick-based); blades linear to narrowly oblanceolate or subspatulate (usually folding), 20–35(–45) × 2–4 mm; cauline often abruptly reduced distally, margins entire, faces hirsuto-strigose, densely minutely glandular. Heads 1. Involucres 4–7 × 6–15 mm. Phyllaries in 2–3 series (commonly purplish to purplish black, sometimes only at tips, midvein region greenish), hirsute, densely minutely glandular. Ray florets 20–37; corollas usually blue or purple, rarely white, 4–10 mm, laminae tardily, often only slightly, reflexing. Disc corollas 3.7–5.3 mm (throats tubular). Cypselae 2.3–2.8 mm, 2-nerved, faces sparsely strigose; pappi: outer of inconspicuous, fine setae, inner of 15–25 bristles. 2n = 18.

Erigeron nevadensis A. Gray var. pygmaeus A. Gray, Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 8: 649. 1873 (as nevadense var. pygmaeum)

Erigeron pygmaeus is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae known by the common name pygmy fleabane, or pygmy daisy.

Erigeron pygmaeus is native to eastern California and western Nevada, in the Sierra Nevada, the White Mountains, and a few other nearby ranges. It grows at high elevations in mountain forests, flats, and talus.

Erigeron pygmaeus is a very small daisy, rarely exceeding 6 centimeters (2.4 inches) in height. It forms clumps of hairy, glandular foliage with leaves under four centimeters (1.6 inches) in length. The inflorescence consists of a single small flower head with dark phyllaries. Each head contains 20–37 blue or purple (rarely white) ray florets surrounding many golden yellow disc florets .