Erigeron sanctarum
| Erigeron sanctarum | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Tribe: | Astereae |
| Genus: | Erigeron |
| Species: | E. sanctarum |
| Binomial name | |
| Erigeron sanctarum S.Wats. | |
Erigeron sanctarum is an uncommon species of flowering plant in the daisy family known by the common names saints fleabane and saints daisy. It is endemic to California, where it is known from San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties and two of the Channel Islands. It grows in coastal and inland chaparral and oak woodland, and sandy coastal scrub habitat. It is a perennial herb producing an upright stem up to 40 centimeters long surrounded at the base by spoon-shaped or oblong leaves a few centimeters long. There are smaller, narrower leaves along the lower part of the stem. The inflorescence is one or more flower heads lined with hairy phyllaries. The head has a center of yellow disc florets and a fringe of many curling blue or lavender ray florets. The fruit is an achene with a pappus of bristles.