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Erigeron salishii

G.W. Douglas & Packer

Salish Daisy

G3Vulnerable Found in 3 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G3VulnerableGlobal Rank
MediumThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.145524
Element CodePDAST3M4U0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderAsterales
FamilyAsteraceae
GenusErigeron
Other Common Names
Salish fleabane (EN) Vergerette de Salish (FR)
Concept Reference
Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Taxonomic Comments
Further taxonomic study appears needed to identify characters that clearly distinguish this species from E. compositus (particularly from the formerly-recognized varieties E. compositus var. glabratus and E. compositus var. discoideus), at least in Washington (J. Arnett pers. comm. 2009).
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-01-13
Change Date2009-01-26
Edition Date2025-01-13
Edition AuthorsMaybury, K./Douglas, G., rev. K. Gravuer (2009), rev. Johnson, J. (2025)
Threat ImpactMedium
Range Extent20,000-200,000 square km (about 8000-80,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences6 - 20
Rank Reasons
Erigeron salishii is restricted to the highest elevations in a small geographic area - Vancouver Island, British Columbia, and north-central Washington state. Approximately 25 occurrences are currently believed extant; abundant potential habitat is present, so additional occurrences may yet be found. A taxonomic study would allow greater certainty regarding the identity of several Washington occurrences. Immediate threats appear minimal; however, because this species is restricted to high-elevation areas, climate change is likely to pose a significant threat in the future.
Range Extent Comments
Erigeron salishii is known from central Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, and from north-central Washington state (Okanogan, Chelan, Kittitas, Skagit, and Snohomish counties), United States. Range extent was estimated using herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data collected between 1994 and 2025 (GBIF 2025, CPNWH 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, SEINet 2025).
Occurrences Comments
In British Columbia, eleven occurrences are known and others are expected based on abundant potential habitat (J. Penny, pers. comm. 2009, iNaturalist 2025, CPNWH 2025). In Washington, fourteen occurrences are presumed extant and five are believed historical (last observed 1924-1948)(CPNWH 2025, NatureServe 2025, SEINet 2025). By applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1994 and 2025, it is estimated that there are 25 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2025, CPNWH 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, SEINet 2025).
Threat Impact Comments
Immediate threats appear minimal in both Washington and British Columbia. Recreational hiking trails may impact a small number of plants. Because this species is restricted to high-elevation areas, however, climate change is likely to pose a significant threat in the future.
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Erigeron salishii grows on cliffs and gravelly slopes, ridges, and ledges, primarily on volcanic and granitic rock (FNA 2006, CPNWH 2025).

Ecology

Plants appear to tolerate severe frost action and wind exposure (BC CDC 2009).
Terrestrial Habitats
AlpineBare rock/talus/scree
Other Nations (2)
United StatesN2
ProvinceRankNative
WashingtonS2Yes
CanadaN3
ProvinceRankNative
British ColumbiaS3Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
6 - Human intrusions & disturbanceSmall (1-10%)Slight or 1-10% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
6.1 - Recreational activitiesSmall (1-10%)Slight or 1-10% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
11 - Climate change & severe weatherLarge (31-70%)Moderate or 11-30% pop. declineModerate (short-term)
11.1 - Habitat shifting & alterationLarge (31-70%)Moderate or 11-30% pop. declineModerate (short-term)

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Plant Characteristics
DurationPERENNIAL
Economic Value (Genus)No
Roadless Areas (3)
Washington (3)
AreaForestAcres
ChelanWenatchee National Forest74,650
Nason RidgeWenatchee National Forest19,329
TeanawayWenatchee National Forest72,849
References (11)
  1. Arnett, Joe. Personal communication. Botanist, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Washington Natural Heritage Program, Olympia, WA.
  2. B.C. Conservation Data Centre. 2009. Conservation Status Report: <i>Erigeron salishii</i>. B.C. Ministry of Environment.
  3. Consortium of Pacific Northwest Herbaria (CPNWH). 2025. Online database of vascular plant specimens from the Pacific Northwest. Online. Available: http://www.pnwherbaria.org/index.php (accessed 2025).
  4. Douglas, G.W., G.B. Straley, and D. Meidinger. 1989. The vascular plants of British Columbia. Part 1. Gymnosperms and Dicotyledons (Asteraceae through Cucurbitaceae). Crown Publications Incorporated. Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. 208 pp.
  5. Flora of North America Editorial Committee (FNA). 2006b. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Vol. 20. Magnoliophyta: Asteridae, part 7: Asteraceae, part 2. Oxford Univ. Press, New York. xxii + 666 pp.
  6. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). 2025. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) data portal. Online. Available: https://www.gbif.org/ (accessed 2025).
  7. iNaturalist. 2025. Online. Available: https://www.inaturalist.org (accessed 2025).
  8. Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
  9. NatureServe. 2025. NatureServe Network Biodiversity Location Data. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia.
  10. Penny, Jenifer. Personal communication. Program Botanist, British Columbia Conservation Data Centre, Ecosystems Branch, Ministry of Environment, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
  11. Southwest Environmental Information Network (SEINet). 2025. Collections Databases. Online. Available: https://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/collections/index.php (accessed 2025).