Agoseris apargioides
Coast dandelion
no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Agoseris apargioides (Coast dandelion) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by Only *Agoseris* of coastal dunes/bluffs; low decumbent, sand-buried rhizome-like stems.
Coast dandelion is a California native perennial found in coastal habitats, occasionally growing in sandy environments. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces bright yellow flowers in heads 10 to 15 millimeters wide, with distinctive rosy-purple phyllaries that may be spotted or have translucent hairs. Growing 10 to 45 centimeters tall with decumbent to erect stems that can be partially buried by shifting sand, it develops a rhizome-like structure. Its leaves are 3 to 10 centimeters long, rounded to slightly tapered, with occasional lobes arranged in 3 to 5 pairs spreading from the central blade. The fruit develops a slender beak 1 to 8 millimeters long, with outer fruits potentially differing from inner fruits.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Only *Agoseris* of coastal dunes/bluffs; low decumbent, sand-buried rhizome-like stems
How to tell it apart
vs Taraxacum: Agoseris bracts graduate gradually in size; Taraxacum has dramatically smaller outer bracts and longer one-sided pappus.; vs Hypochaeris: Agoseris has completely bractless stems; Hypochaeris often has small leafy bracts partway up the stem.; vs Microseris: Agoseris pappus bristles evenly distributed; Microseris has 5-80 white scales (not plume-like bristles).; vs Uropappus: Agoseris has plume-like bristles; Uropappus has 5 large silvery scales alternating with 5 smaller ones.; vs Leontodon: Agoseris has unbranched scapes; Leontodon often has branched stems with multiple heads.
Frequently asked questions
Is Agoseris apargioides native to California?
Yes. Agoseris apargioides is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Agoseris apargioides belong to?
Agoseris apargioides is in the Asteraceae family, genus Agoseris.
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.