Erigeron pygmaeus is native to eastern California and western Nevada, in the Sierra Nevada, the White Mountains, and a few other nearby ranges.

[2] It grows in rocky soils at high elevations in subalpine forests, flats, and talus.

[3] Erigeron pygmaeus is a very small daisy, rarely exceeding 6 centimeters (2.4 inches) in height.

It forms clumps or small mats of hairy, glandular foliage with leaves under four centimeters (1.6 inches) in length.

The inflorescence consists of a single small flower head with dark phyllaries.