Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus var. sphaerocephalus
Rayless goldenhead
(c) Stan Shebs, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus var. sphaerocephalus (Rayless goldenhead) is a native California shrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by smooth foliage and larger stature.
Rayless goldenhead is a California native shrub found in the Tehachapi Mountains, San Gabriel Mountains, San Bernardino Mountains, Peninsular Ranges, and Deserts in gravelly or rocky juniper woodland habitats at elevations up to 2,200 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces yellow flowers in compact, spherical heads without ray flowers. Growing with stems generally less than one meter tall, it forms a dense, rounded shrub with intricate branching. Its leaves are glabrous with occasionally sparse rough margins, creating a smooth and textured appearance across the plant. In dry, rocky landscapes, rayless goldenhead provides a distinctive golden-yellow presence among sparse juniper woodlands.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; distinguished by smooth foliage and larger stature
Habitat and range
Habitat: Gravelly or rocky soils, flats or slopes, juniper woodland
Elevation: < 2200 m
Outside California: to Utah, Arizona
Bloom period
Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus var. sphaerocephalus blooms Mar-Jun.
Frequently asked questions
Is Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus var. sphaerocephalus native to California?
Yes. Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus var. sphaerocephalus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus var. sphaerocephalus bloom?
Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus var. sphaerocephalus blooms Mar-Jun.
What plant family does Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus var. sphaerocephalus belong to?
Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus var. sphaerocephalus is in the Asteraceae family, genus Acamptopappus.
What habitat does Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus var. sphaerocephalus grow in?
Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus var. sphaerocephalus grows in Gravelly or rocky soils, flats or slopes, juniper woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Acamptopappus shockleyi — Shockley's goldenhead
- Acamptopappus sp. — Goldenhead
- Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus — Rayless goldenhead
- Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus var. hirtellus — Hairy goldenhead
- Achillea millefolium — Common yarrow
- Achillea sp. — Yarrow
- Achyrachaena mollis — Soft blow wives
- Achyrachaena sp. — Blow-wives
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.