Arctotheca prostrata
Prostrate capeweed, Prostrate Capeweed
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Perennial · Not Native
Conservation status: Cal-IPC Yes
Arctotheca prostrata (Prostrate capeweed) is a non-native California perennial in the Asteraceae family, recognized by . Key differences in head size, ray coloration, and elevation range.
Prostrate capeweed is a naturalized perennial found in coastal areas of California, including the North, Central, and Southern Coast bioregions in disturbed areas and escaped cultivation sites at elevations below 400 meters. Flowering throughout the year, this plant produces yellow ray flowers with heads 4 to 7 centimeters wide, featuring 16 to 25 rays that are 3 to 5.5 millimeters wide. Growing with a low-spreading habit, it forms persistent rosette leaves that create dense ground cover. Its rosette leaves are distinctive, forming a compact ground-hugging pattern that allows the plant to spread easily across disturbed landscapes. The flower heads display a uniform bright yellow color, with rays that may have reddish or purplish tints toward their edges.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species. Key differences in head size, ray coloration, and elevation range.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Escape from cultivation, disturbed areas
Elevation: < 400 m
California counties: Orange, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Marin, San Francisco, Humboldt, Sonoma, Santa Cruz, Monterey
Outside California: +- suitable habitats worldwide.
Bloom period
Arctotheca prostrata blooms All year.
Conservation status
Cal-IPC Yes
How to tell it apart
vs Gazania: Arctotheca has deeply pinnately lobed leaves; Gazania leaves are entire or barely lobed at margins.; vs Taraxacum: Arctotheca creeps along ground with white-woolly leaf undersides; Taraxacum grows in rosettes with hollow flower stalks.; vs Euryops: Arctotheca creeps along ground; Euryops grows as upright woody shrub.; vs Dimorphotheca: Arctotheca leaves are pinnately lobed; Dimorphotheca has simple toothed leaves.; vs Wyethia: Arctotheca is low mat-forming; Wyethia is tall upright perennial with large undivided leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Arctotheca prostrata native to California?
No. Arctotheca prostrata is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Arctotheca prostrata bloom?
Arctotheca prostrata blooms All year.
Where in California does Arctotheca prostrata grow?
Arctotheca prostrata occurs in Orange, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Marin, San Francisco, Humboldt and other counties, at elevations of < 400 m.
What plant family does Arctotheca prostrata belong to?
Arctotheca prostrata is in the Asteraceae family, genus Arctotheca.
Is Arctotheca prostrata invasive in California?
Arctotheca prostrata is listed by Cal-IPC with an invasiveness rating of Yes.
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.