Calycoseris parryi
Yellow tack-stem
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Calycoseris parryi (Yellow tack-stem) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by flower color, fruit color/texture, and elevation range.
Yellow tack-stem is a California native annual found in the Tehachapi Mountains, eastern South Coast, San Gabriel Mountains, eastern San Bernardino Mountains, Peninsular Ranges, Southeastern Sierra Nevada, and Deserts in sandy to gravelly washes and slopes at elevations of 200 to 1,800 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces yellow flowers with ligules 1.5 to 2.5 centimeters long, creating delicate daisy-like blooms. Growing with slender stems to approximately 30 centimeters tall, it develops a distinctive branching habit. Its basal leaves range from 5 to 12 centimeters long, providing a base of green foliage for the bright yellow flower heads. The fruits are light brown or gray with relatively smooth ribs, topped by a pappus 6 to 8 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; flower color, fruit color/texture, and elevation range are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy to gravelly soils, washes, slopes
Elevation: 200-1800 m
Outside California: to Utah, Arizona, Baja California
Bloom period
Calycoseris parryi blooms Apr-May.
How to tell it apart
vs Rafinesquia: Rafinesquia pappus stays attached; Calycoseris pappus mostly falls away when mature.; vs Malacothrix: Malacothrix seeds lack beaks; Calycoseris seeds taper into short beaks.; vs Anisocoma: Anisocoma has scale-like pappus; Calycoseris has bristly pappus that mostly falls off.; vs Munzothamnus: Munzothamnus is a woody shrub; Calycoseris is a desert annual herb.; vs Hieracium: Hieracium is densely long-hairy; Calycoseris has glandular-sticky stems without long hairs.
Frequently asked questions
Is Calycoseris parryi native to California?
Yes. Calycoseris parryi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Calycoseris parryi bloom?
Calycoseris parryi blooms Apr-May.
What plant family does Calycoseris parryi belong to?
Calycoseris parryi is in the Asteraceae family, genus Calycoseris.
What habitat does Calycoseris parryi grow in?
Calycoseris parryi grows in Sandy to gravelly soils, washes, slopes.
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.