Achyrachaena mollis
Soft blow wives
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Achyrachaena mollis (Soft blow wives) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by Endemic genus to California and adjacent Oregon/Baja California, representing a unique evolutionary lineage within Asteraceae.
Soft blow wives is a California native annual found in grasslands of the California Floristic Province, often on clay soils at elevations below 1,220 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces yellow flowers that turn reddish, with inconspicuous rays 4 to 7 millimeters long clustered in loose, rounded heads. Growing 4 to 62 centimeters tall with erect, branched stems, it has simple linear leaves 2 to 15 centimeters long that are hairy and sometimes glandular. Its leaves vary from opposite at the base to alternate toward the stem tips, ranging from 1 to 7 millimeters wide and sometimes toothed. The fruit is distinctive, with black ray fruits and brown to black disk fruits accompanied by shiny white pappus scales 3 to 13 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Endemic genus to California and adjacent Oregon/Baja California, representing a unique evolutionary lineage within Asteraceae
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassy sites, often clay soils
Elevation: < 1220 m
Outside California: southern Oregon, northern Baja California
Bloom period
Achyrachaena mollis blooms Mar-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Uropappus: Achyrachaena has 10 blunt papery scales; Uropappus has 5 pointed scales with long bristly tails.; vs Microseris: Achyrachaena has 10 large blunt scales; Microseris has numerous silvery feathery bristles.; vs Madia: Achyrachaena has 10 large papery scales crowning fruits; Madia has tiny bristles or scales.; vs Hypochaeris: Achyrachaena has 10 blunt scales; Hypochaeris has dandelion-like feathery plumes.; vs Marshallia: Achyrachaena has ray flowers; Marshallia lacks ray flowers entirely.
Frequently asked questions
Is Achyrachaena mollis native to California?
Yes. Achyrachaena mollis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Achyrachaena mollis bloom?
Achyrachaena mollis blooms Mar-Jun.
What plant family does Achyrachaena mollis belong to?
Achyrachaena mollis is in the Asteraceae family, genus Achyrachaena.
What habitat does Achyrachaena mollis grow in?
Achyrachaena mollis grows in Grassy sites, often clay soils.
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.