Anisocoma acaulis
Scale bud
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Anisocoma acaulis (Scale bud) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by Monotypic genus endemic to southwestern US/northwestern Mexico, representing a distinct lineage within tribe Cichorieae.
Scale bud is a California native annual found in southern Sierra Nevada, Tehachapi, San Joaquin Valley, southern Coast Ranges, Transverse Ranges, Peninsular Ranges, Great Basin, and Desert regions in sandy washes and dry slopes at elevations of 100 to 2,600 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces cream to bright yellow flowers in solitary heads with wide papery-transparent phyllary margins often marked with red tips. Growing with scapose habit and milky sap, it develops slender stems reaching 20 centimeters tall. Its basal leaves are 3 to 5 centimeters long with pinnately lobed structure, each lobe toothed and slightly hairy. The fruit is characterized by white plumose bristles arranged asymmetrically along its surface.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Monotypic genus endemic to southwestern US/northwestern Mexico, representing a distinct lineage within tribe Cichorieae
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy washes, dry slopes
Elevation: 100-2600 m
Outside California: Nevada, Arizona, Baja California
Bloom period
Anisocoma acaulis blooms Mar-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Malacothrix: Anisocoma has lopsided seed plumes much longer on one side; Malacothrix has evenly distributed seed bristles.; vs Calycoseris: Anisocoma has asymmetrical, one-sided seed plumes; Calycoseris has symmetrical, evenly distributed seed bristles.; vs Rafinesquia: Anisocoma has dramatically lopsided seed plumes; Rafinesquia has evenly distributed seed bristles all around.; vs Agoseris: Anisocoma has lopsided feathery seed plumes; Agoseris has symmetrical seed plumes evenly distributed.; vs Hypochaeris: Anisocoma has distinctly one-sided, asymmetrical seed plumes; Hypochaeris has symmetrical seed plumes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Anisocoma acaulis native to California?
Yes. Anisocoma acaulis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Anisocoma acaulis bloom?
Anisocoma acaulis blooms Mar-Jun.
What plant family does Anisocoma acaulis belong to?
Anisocoma acaulis is in the Asteraceae family, genus Anisocoma.
What habitat does Anisocoma acaulis grow in?
Anisocoma acaulis grows in Sandy washes, dry slopes.
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.