Scalesia is a genus in the family Asteraceae endemic to the Galapagos Islands.

The genus Scalesia resulted from a blunder by Arnott who named it in honour of "W. Scales Esq., Cawdor Castle, Elginshire" but discovered after publication that the name should have read 'Stables', after Scottish botanist, William Alexander Stables (1810–1890).

Scalesia species have been called "the Darwin's finches of the plant world" because they show a similarly dramatic pattern of adaptive radiation.

One of the largest and most widespread species is Scalesia pedunculata – a large tree which grows up to 15 to 20 metres tall, reaching maturity in a few years time.

The largest stands of Scalesia pedunculata are found on the humid windward sides of Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal, Santiago and Floreana islands, at an elevation of 400–700 m. The best known and most visited stand is on Santa Cruz Island, and is crossed by a road.