Family: Asteraceae - SUNFLOWER FAMILY, ASTER FAMILY (Compositae)
Genus: Erigeron from Greek eri 'spring' and geron 'an old man'
Species: aureus means 'golden'
aka Golden Fleabane, Golden Daisy. The flowerheads, 3/4" - 1" (2 - 2.5 cm) across, seem large compared to their stems which are no more than 6" tall; it's good that there is only one flower per stem. Brilliantly golden yellow the flower is composed of a central 'button' of disk flowers surrounded by as many as seventy ray flowers. The large number of flowers increases the chance of successful pollination in the harsh alpine environment. Common on rocky ridges and pumice slopes and flats between 7,000' to 8,500' elevation. (ref. Blackwell)
