Baileya pauciradiata
Colorado desert marigold
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Baileya pauciradiata (Colorado desert marigold) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by few rays (4-8), pale yellow color, clustered heads.
Colorado desert marigold is a California native perennial found in the Colorado Desert bioregion in sandy desert soils, especially dunes, at elevations below 1,700 meters. Flowering from December to June and October, this plant produces pale yellow ray flowers 4 to 10 millimeters long in small clusters of 2 to 3 flower heads. Growing with loosely branched stems 1 to 7.5 decimeters tall that are generally branched above the base, it has a somewhat tomentose appearance. Its cauline leaves range 4 to 14 centimeters long, linear-oblong to lanceolate, and can be entire or divided into linear lobes. The fruit is 4 to 5 millimeters long, narrowly club-shaped with even ribs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; distinguished by few rays (4-8), pale yellow color, clustered heads
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy desert soils, especially dunes
Elevation: < 1700 m
Outside California: western Arizona, northern Mexico
Bloom period
Baileya pauciradiata blooms Dec-Jun, Oct.
How to tell it apart
vs Eriophyllum: Eriophyllum rays wither and drop; Baileya rays persist as papery curled petals for weeks.; vs Geraea: Geraea has large green leaves; Baileya has small gray-woolly leaves and distinctive persistent papery rays.; vs Encelia: Encelia often lacks ray flowers entirely; Baileya always has persistent papery rays that curl backward.; vs Glebionis: Glebionis has smooth green leaves; Baileya is completely covered in dense gray wool.; vs Eschscholzia: Eschscholzia is a poppy with four petals and no disk center; Baileya is a composite with rays around a disk.
Frequently asked questions
Is Baileya pauciradiata native to California?
Yes. Baileya pauciradiata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Baileya pauciradiata bloom?
Baileya pauciradiata blooms Dec-Jun, Oct.
What plant family does Baileya pauciradiata belong to?
Baileya pauciradiata is in the Asteraceae family, genus Baileya.
What habitat does Baileya pauciradiata grow in?
Baileya pauciradiata grows in Sandy desert soils, especially dunes.
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.