Atrichoseris platyphylla
Gravel ghost
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Atrichoseris platyphylla (Gravel ghost) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by Only species in genus Atrichoseris, unique among desert Asteraceae for white fragrant flowers and seeds lacking pappus.
Gravel ghost is a California native annual found in the Mojave Desert region in desert valleys and washes at elevations below 1,600 meters. Flowering from February to May, this plant produces delicate white flowers in heads 1.5 to 2.5 centimeters wide, arranged in open, scapose clusters. Growing 20 to 180 centimeters tall with an erect stem, it has a distinctive glabrous appearance and milky sap. Its basal leaves are obovate, 3 to 10 centimeters long, gray-green and often purple-tinged, lying flat against the soil with finely dentate edges. The plant produces cylindrical fruits 4 to 4.5 millimeters long with 4 to 5 blunt angles, characteristic of its unique desert adaptation.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Only species in genus Atrichoseris, unique among desert Asteraceae for white fragrant flowers and seeds lacking pappus
Habitat and range
Habitat: Desert valleys, washes
Elevation: < 1600 m
Outside California: to Utah, Arizona, northeastern Baja California
Bloom period
Atrichoseris platyphylla blooms Feb-May.
How to tell it apart
vs Rafinesquia: Atrichoseris has basal leaves only; Rafinesquia has prominent stem leaves.; vs Malacothrix: Atrichoseris has exclusively white flowers; Malacothrix flowers are typically yellow (rarely white).; vs Lapsana: Atrichoseris has white flowers in deserts; Lapsana has yellow flowers in shade.; vs Rhagadiolus: Atrichoseris has white flowers and short fruits; Rhagadiolus has yellow flowers and long radiating fruits.; vs Phalacroseris: Atrichoseris grows in hot desert valleys; Phalacroseris grows in wet mountain meadows.
Frequently asked questions
Is Atrichoseris platyphylla native to California?
Yes. Atrichoseris platyphylla is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Atrichoseris platyphylla bloom?
Atrichoseris platyphylla blooms Feb-May.
What plant family does Atrichoseris platyphylla belong to?
Atrichoseris platyphylla is in the Asteraceae family, genus Atrichoseris.
What habitat does Atrichoseris platyphylla grow in?
Atrichoseris platyphylla grows in Desert valleys, washes.
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.