Antennaria racemosa
Raceme pussytoes
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Antennaria racemosa (Raceme pussytoes) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by large leaves, raceme inflorescence, and long peduncles.
Raceme pussytoes is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges in montane forest at elevations of 1,200 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces white to light brown flowers in clusters of 3 to 12 heads. Growing with glandular stems 12 to 50 centimeters tall and horizontal stolons 3 to 8 centimeters long, it has a distinctive growth pattern. Its basal leaves are elliptic, 30 to 100 millimeters long, green on top and woolly white underneath, with three prominent veins. The plant produces small fruits 1 to 1.5 millimeters long with delicate pappus bristles.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species - large leaves, raceme inflorescence, and long peduncles
Habitat and range
Habitat: Montane forest
Elevation: 1200-2000 m
Outside California: to southwestern Canada, South Dakota, Wyoming
Bloom period
Antennaria racemosa blooms Jun-Sep.
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 racemosa native to California?
Yes. Antennaria racemosa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Antennaria racemosa bloom?
Antennaria racemosa blooms Jun-Sep.
What plant family does Antennaria racemosa belong to?
Antennaria racemosa is in the Asteraceae family, genus Antennaria.
What habitat does Antennaria racemosa grow in?
Antennaria racemosa grows in Montane forest.
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.