Endangered Species in Santa Cruz County - Plants

White-Rayed Pentachaeta

Scientific Name: Pentachaeta bellidiflora

Status: E

The White-rayed Pentachaeta (also known as the White-rayed Pygmy Daisy) is an annual herb in the aster family, native to California, and endemic (limited) to California alone. Very low population - currently existing at a single site, bisected by an interstate highway, in San Mateo County.

Habitat: Bunchgrass communities associated with serpentine soils.

Threats: Urbanization / construction, off-road vehicles, competition from non-native plant species when soils are disturbed, and possibly also vandalism.

To Learn More:

• Calflora
  Searchable database featuring all 8375 currently recognized vascular plants in California, including 20000 photographs.
• CalPhotos Photo Database - University of CA, Berkeley
  Browseable photographs of the species.
• NatureServe - Explorer
  Enter the species name to access a detailed description of the species, including physical characteristics, habitat, current conservation status, ecological and distribution data, with citations to relevant management reports.

Last updated by lorenzop on May 21, 2008