Agoseris hirsuta
Woolly goat chicory
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Agoseris hirsuta (Woolly goat chicory) is a native California perennial in the Asteraceae family, recognized by deep lobing and glandular hairs on bracts key.
Woolly goat chicory is a California native perennial found in northern coastal, Sacramento Valley, and central western bioregions in grasslands, scrub, and occasional marshes at elevations generally below 500 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces bright yellow flowers with ligules 6 to 16 millimeters long that distinctively extend beyond the flower head. Growing 10 to 45 centimeters tall with an erect habit, it develops a robust perennial structure with white-opaque hairy stems. Its leaves are broadly to narrowly oblanceolate, typically 10 to 30 centimeters long with 5 to 7 pairs of lanceolate lobes that angle toward the leaf tip, creating a complex pinnately divided appearance. The fruit develops a slender, flexuous beak 6 to 10 millimeters long, which is often 1 to 3 times the length of its fusiform body.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 10 species; deep lobing and glandular hairs on bracts key
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassland, scrub, marshes (rare)
Elevation: generally < 500 m
Outside California: Oregon (type collection only)
Bloom period
Agoseris hirsuta blooms Apr-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 hirsuta native to California?
Yes. Agoseris hirsuta is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Agoseris hirsuta bloom?
Agoseris hirsuta blooms Apr-Jun.
What plant family does Agoseris hirsuta belong to?
Agoseris hirsuta is in the Asteraceae family, genus Agoseris.
What habitat does Agoseris hirsuta grow in?
Agoseris hirsuta grows in Grassland, scrub, marshes (rare).
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.