Antennaria dimorpha
Gray cushion pussytoes
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Antennaria dimorpha (Gray cushion pussytoes) is a native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by unique cushion growth form with single large heads.
Gray cushion pussytoes is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern coastal ranges, Sierra Nevada, Transverse Ranges, and Great Basin in dry places at elevations of 800 to 2,400 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces white flowers in small, compact heads with dingy brown phyllaries. Growing in dense cushion-like clumps less than 4 centimeters tall, it forms a much-branched woody base without producing stolons. Its basal leaves are narrow and linear, 8 to 11 millimeters long, with a grayish-tomentose surface that gives the plant a soft, silvery appearance. The plant produces small fruits 2 to 3.5 millimeters long, covered in fine hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 17 sympatric species - unique cushion growth form with single large heads
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry places
Elevation: 800-2400 m
Outside California: to southwestern Canada, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico
Bloom period
Antennaria dimorpha blooms May-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Pseudognaphalium: Antennaria forms low cushions with persistent basal rosettes; Pseudognaphalium grows erect to 200 cm without basal rosettes.; vs Eriogonum: Antennaria has papery-bracted flower heads in the Asteraceae; Eriogonum has showy flowers with papery bracts in the buckwheat family.; vs Anaphalis: Antennaria maintains its basal leaf rosette during flowering; Anaphalis has withered basal leaves with longer, uniform stem leaves.; vs Centaurea: Antennaria has tiny woolly heads (3-9mm) in low cushions; Centaurea has much larger flower heads (15-40mm) on tall stems.; vs Petrophytum: Antennaria has papery-bracted flower heads; Petrophytum has dense spikes of small rose-family flowers with 5 separate petals.
Frequently asked questions
Is Antennaria dimorpha native to California?
Yes. Antennaria dimorpha is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Antennaria dimorpha bloom?
Antennaria dimorpha blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Antennaria dimorpha belong to?
Antennaria dimorpha is in the Asteraceae family, genus Antennaria.
What habitat does Antennaria dimorpha grow in?
Antennaria dimorpha grows in dry places.
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.