Orange Agoseris

agoseris aurantiaca

The Orange Agoseris (Agoseris aurantiaca) is a delightful alpine and subalpine perennial herb native to the mountains of western North America. Often referred to as the orange dandelion or mountain dandelion, this plant brings a brilliant splash of warm color to high-elevation landscapes. It thrives in open, sunny meadows and forest clearings where its distinctive fiery blossoms stand out against the greenery. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, it is a vital component of montane ecosystems, providing nourishment for high-altitude pollinators and local herbivores alike. Want to find and snap Orange Agoseris yourself? Get the Snappit app.

Habitat: Found in moist mountain meadows, subalpine forests, and open rocky slopes at high elevations.

Appearance

This wildflower features a basal rosette of narrow, lance-shaped leaves that can be entire or slightly lobed. Rising from the center of this rosette is a single, leafless stem reaching 10 to 60 centimeters in height, topped with a single daisy-like flower head. The flower head is uniquely colored with coppery-orange, burnt-orange, or brick-red ligules that often turn deep pink or purple as they dry. The milky latex sap inside its stem is a key diagnostic feature, and after flowering, it develops a fluffy, white-to-light-brown dandelion-like puffball of seeds.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsteralesFamilyAsteraceaeGenusAgoseris

Orange Agoseris

Interesting facts

Indigenous peoples of western North America historically used the solidified milky sap of various Agoseris species as a natural chewing gum.

The genus name Agoseris comes from Greek words meaning 'goat chicory', referring to its resemblance to other members of the aster family.

Unlike many plants that fade to duller tones, the vibrant orange flowers of this species often age into deep pink, bronze, or purple hues before going to seed.

Special abilities

Produces a sticky, bitter white sap when its tissues are damaged, which deters predatory insects and large herbivores from feeding on it.

Seeds are attached to fine, feathery structures that catch mountain drafts, allowing them to disperse over long distances and colonize new slopes.

The unique orange and red hues of its flowers specifically target high-altitude pollinators that are highly sensitive to warm spectrums.

Measurements & details

Length: 10-60 cm
Weight: 0.01-0.1 kg
Lifespan: 3-10 years

Diet & Feeding

As a photosynthetic plant, it manufactures its own sugars using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide, while absorbing vital trace minerals through its root system.

Primary Foods

Sunlight
Water
Carbon Dioxide
Soil Minerals

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

mutualism

Western Bumble Bee

Bombus occidentalis

Pollinates the flower heads while feeding on nectar during the short alpine summer.

eaten by

Elk

Cervus canadensis

Feeds on the nutrient-rich basal leaves and flower buds in high-elevation summer pastures.

parasite

Dandelion Rust

Puccinia hieracii

A common fungal pathogen that infects the leaves of the Orange Agoseris, leaving powdery dark spots.

Traits

No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Collections for this object will appear here as more themes are added.

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

No special safety notes yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Orange Agoseris?

The easiest way to identify Orange Agoseris is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is Orange Agoseris?

10-60 cm

How much does Orange Agoseris weigh?

0.01-0.1 kg

How long does Orange Agoseris live?

3-10 years

What does Orange Agoseris eat?

As a photosynthetic plant, it manufactures its own sugars using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide, while absorbing vital trace minerals through its root system.

Where is Orange Agoseris usually found?

Found in moist mountain meadows, subalpine forests, and open rocky slopes at high elevations.

How does Orange Agoseris hunt?

Foraging