Agoseris apargioides var. maritima
Woolly goat chicory
Photo: parent species Agoseris apargioides · no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Agoseris apargioides var. maritima (Woolly goat chicory) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by short ligules and white opaque hairs distinctive.
Woolly goat chicory is a California native perennial found in northern coastal California, specifically around Humboldt Bay, inhabiting coastal dunes and sand hills at elevations below 50 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces white flowers in compact heads with ligules 3 to 6 millimeters long. Growing with generally erect to spreading stems, it develops distinctive oblanceolate leaves with white-opaque hairs that range from 4 to 20 millimeters wide. Its leaves can be entire or lightly lobed, with lanceolate to oblanceolate margins, creating a delicate and soft-textured appearance. The plant's flowers emerge from glabrous or white-haired involucres, with outer phyllaries that are lanceolate to oblanceolate in shape.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 7 species; short ligules and white opaque hairs distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal dunes, sand hills
Elevation: < 50 m
Outside California: to Washington
Bloom period
Agoseris apargioides var. maritima blooms Jul-Aug.
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 var. maritima native to California?
Yes. Agoseris apargioides var. maritima is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Agoseris apargioides var. maritima bloom?
Agoseris apargioides var. maritima blooms Jul-Aug.
What plant family does Agoseris apargioides var. maritima belong to?
Agoseris apargioides var. maritima is in the Asteraceae family, genus Agoseris.
What habitat does Agoseris apargioides var. maritima grow in?
Agoseris apargioides var. maritima grows in Coastal dunes, sand hills.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.