Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus var. hirtellus
Hairy goldenhead
(c) Stan Shebs, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus var. hirtellus (Hairy goldenhead) is a native California shrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by ray flower absence and leaf pubescence.
Hairy goldenhead is a California native shrub found in the Tehachapi Mountains, southern Gabilan Range, San Bernardino Mountains, Peninsular Ranges, Sierra Nevada Eastern Slope, and Mojave Desert in gravelly or rocky soils within juniper woodland at elevations below 1,750 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces yellow flowers in compact, spherical heads that give it its distinctive appearance. Growing up to 6 meters tall with densely rough-textured stems, it forms a compact and sturdy shrubby structure. Its leaves are characterized by densely rough-puberulent surfaces, creating a textured and soft-looking foliage that helps distinguish this goldenhead from other similar species.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; distinguished by ray flower absence and leaf pubescence
Habitat and range
Habitat: Gravelly or rocky soils, flats or slopes, juniper woodland
Elevation: < 1750 m
Outside California: northwestern Arizona, southern Nevada
Bloom period
Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus var. hirtellus blooms Apr-Jun.
Frequently asked questions
Is Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus var. hirtellus native to California?
Yes. Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus var. hirtellus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus var. hirtellus bloom?
Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus var. hirtellus blooms Apr-Jun.
What plant family does Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus var. hirtellus belong to?
Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus var. hirtellus is in the Asteraceae family, genus Acamptopappus.
What habitat does Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus var. hirtellus grow in?
Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus var. hirtellus grows in Gravelly or rocky soils, flats or slopes, juniper woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.