Artemisia pycnocephala
Coastal sagewort, Coastal Sagewort
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Artemisia pycnocephala (Coastal sagewort) is a native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by dense white tomentum and coastal strand habitat.
Coastal sagewort is a California native perennial found in the northern and central Coast Ranges in rocky or sandy coastal strand habitats at elevations below 200 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces small white to grayish flower heads clustered in dense, narrow panicle-like arrangements. Growing in mounded forms 30 to 70 centimeters tall with decumbent stems, it forms dense white-gray tomentose clumps that are faintly aromatic. Its leaves are finely divided, with proximal leaves having complex 2 to 3-pinnate structure and lobes 1 to 2 millimeters wide, creating a soft, intricate foliage texture. The plant emerges from a taproot, with stems densely covered in soft white-gray hairs that give it a distinctive silvery appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; dense white tomentum and coastal strand habitat are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky or sandy soils, coastal strand
Elevation: < 200 m
Outside California: Oregon
Bloom period
Artemisia pycnocephala blooms Jun-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Salvia: Artemisia has tiny clustered flower heads in the sunflower family; Salvia has two-lipped tubular flowers in the mint family with square stems.; vs Ambrosia: Artemisia has fused anthers and typically silvery foliage; Ambrosia has free anthers and often deeply lobed green leaves.; vs Ericameria: Artemisia is aromatic with inconspicuous greenish heads lacking rays; Ericameria has bright yellow daisy-like heads with showy ray petals.; vs Pseudognaphalium: Artemisia has no seed bristles and woody stems; Pseudognaphalium has fluffy white pappus bristles and soft herbaceous stems.; vs Eschscholzia: Artemisia has tiny greenish clustered flower heads; Eschscholzia has large showy orange or yellow poppy flowers with 4 petals.
Frequently asked questions
Is Artemisia pycnocephala native to California?
Yes. Artemisia pycnocephala is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Artemisia pycnocephala bloom?
Artemisia pycnocephala blooms Jun-Sep.
What plant family does Artemisia pycnocephala belong to?
Artemisia pycnocephala is in the Asteraceae family, genus Artemisia.
What habitat does Artemisia pycnocephala grow in?
Artemisia pycnocephala grows in Rocky or sandy soils, coastal strand.
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.