Stansell’s daisy is a perennial plant that grows 7-25 cm tall and is tap-rooted with few-branched caudices. The stems of E. stanselliae are erect to decumbent, glabrous to sparsely strigose, and sometimes minutely glandular. The species has basal leaves that are linear to oblanceolate, 40-120 mm long and 2-5 mm wide, that are gradually or abruptly reduced distally. The surfaces of the leaves are glabrous to loosely strigose. Cauline leaves are linear to narrowly elliptic, 5-40 mm long by 1-3 mm wide, and are gradually or abruptly reduced distally with surfaces glabrous to loosely strigose. Stansell’s daisy has 1-2 radiate heads with involucres measuring 5-7 mm by 5-11 mm. The phyllaries are in a series of 2-3 with sparsely to densely pilose or strigose surfaces that are minutely glandular. Disc florets are 3-4 mm. Fruits are 3-4 mm, sparsely to densely strigose with inner pappi having numerous barbellate bristles.
Grows in a serpentine-influenced mix of scrubland and woodland habitats in the Coast Range. Known sites have a ultramafic gravel substrate.
Limiting factors
Threatened by mining, cattle grazing, encroachment of native species, and factors related to fire suppression and exclusion. The species is highly vulnerable to climate change, particularly due to predicted increased variability in temperatures and precipitation.
Data gaps
Develop propagation and transplanting protocols. Document population status and trends.
Conservation actions
Protect, maintain, and restore habitat. Limit disturbance at known sites. Monitor existing populations. Inventory additional suitable habitat. Collect and bank seed as insurance against local extirpation or extinction and to use in ex-situ research. Conduct ex-situ seed/plug production for introduction and augmentation efforts.
Key reference or plan
Marshall, DA, and J Brown. 2023. 2023 listing status assessment for Erigeron stanselliae (Stansell’s daisy). Oregon Department of Agriculture, Salem, Oregon.
