Cacaliopsis nardosmia
Cut leaf cacaliopsis
no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Cacaliopsis nardosmia (Cut leaf cacaliopsis) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by Pacific Northwest element reaching its southern range limit in northern California.
Cut leaf cacaliopsis is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges and northern Coast Ranges in meadows and open forests, sometimes on serpentine substrate, at elevations of 200 to 2,150 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces yellow flowers in heads 12 to 16 millimeters long, arranged in clusters of 3 to 11. Growing with erect stems 15 to 90 centimeters tall emerging from a rhizome, it forms distinctive foliage with widely kidney-shaped leaves that are palmately lobed and deeply divided. Its leaves measure 7 to 35 centimeters long, with fuzzy white undersides and relatively smooth upper surfaces, featuring a long petiole of 7 to 30 centimeters. The fruit is a brown cylindrical structure 6 to 8.5 millimeters long, topped with a white pappus of fine, minutely barbed bristles.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Pacific Northwest element reaching its southern range limit in northern California
Habitat and range
Habitat: Meadows, open forest, sometimes serpentine
Elevation: 200-2150 m
Outside California: to southern British Columbia
Bloom period
Cacaliopsis nardosmia blooms Apr-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Delairea: Cacaliopsis stands upright; Delairea climbs and twines as a vine.; vs Senecio: Cacaliopsis has palmately lobed leaves with radiating veins; Senecio has pinnately divided leaves.; vs Packera: Cacaliopsis has large palmately lobed leaves; Packera has smaller pinnately veined leaves.; vs Erigeron: Cacaliopsis has palmately lobed leaves and limited distribution; Erigeron has simple leaves and is widespread.; vs Psathyrotes: Cacaliopsis is an upright mountain plant; Psathyrotes forms low desert mounds.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cacaliopsis nardosmia native to California?
Yes. Cacaliopsis nardosmia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cacaliopsis nardosmia bloom?
Cacaliopsis nardosmia blooms Apr-Jul.
What plant family does Cacaliopsis nardosmia belong to?
Cacaliopsis nardosmia is in the Asteraceae family, genus Cacaliopsis.
What habitat does Cacaliopsis nardosmia grow in?
Cacaliopsis nardosmia grows in Meadows, open forest, sometimes serpentine.
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.