Agoseris heterophylla var. cryptopleura
Mountain dandelion
Photo: parent species Agoseris heterophylla · (c) Alexander Wentworth, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Annual · Native
Agoseris heterophylla var. cryptopleura (Mountain dandelion) is a native California annual in the Asteraceae family, recognized by deeper lobing and longer-lasting flowers key.
Mountain dandelion is a California native annual found in northern California regions including the Sierra Nevada Foothills, Tehachapi, Great Valley, San Francisco Bay Area, and southern coastal ranges in open habitats at elevations of 150 to 1,000 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces yellow flowers with ligules 10 to 15 millimeters long that open well into the day. Growing with slender stems 15 to 40 centimeters tall, it develops a delicate, branching form. Its leaves have 3 to 5 pairs of lobes, with secondary lobes generally present and surfaces somewhat hairy. The fruit displays highly variable characteristics with reduced ribs toward the base of the plant.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 8 species; deeper lobing and longer-lasting flowers key
Habitat and range
Habitat: Many open habitats
Elevation: generally 150-1000(2000) m
Bloom period
Agoseris heterophylla var. cryptopleura blooms May-Jun.
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 heterophylla var. cryptopleura native to California?
Yes. Agoseris heterophylla var. cryptopleura is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Agoseris heterophylla var. cryptopleura bloom?
Agoseris heterophylla var. cryptopleura blooms May-Jun.
What plant family does Agoseris heterophylla var. cryptopleura belong to?
Agoseris heterophylla var. cryptopleura is in the Asteraceae family, genus Agoseris.
What habitat does Agoseris heterophylla var. cryptopleura grow in?
Agoseris heterophylla var. cryptopleura grows in Many open habitats.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-01
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.