Antennaria rosea
Rose pussytoes
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Antennaria rosea (Rose pussytoes) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by NONE - geographically isolated species.
Rose pussytoes is a California native perennial found in montane and alpine habitats at elevations from 1,500 to 3,500 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces white to rose-colored flowers in compact heads 3 to 16 millimeters long. Growing with short stoloniferous stems and a clumping habit, it forms low-growing clusters typically 10 to 25 centimeters tall. Its basal leaves are spoon-shaped, 8 to 40 millimeters long, and covered in a distinctive gray-white tomentose (woolly) surface. The plant's flower heads feature phyllary tips in subtle shades of white, rose, yellow, and brown, creating a delicate and understated appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: NONE - geographically isolated species
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 rosea native to California?
Yes. Antennaria rosea is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Antennaria rosea belong to?
Antennaria rosea is in the Asteraceae family, genus Antennaria.
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.