Centromadia parryi

Pappose tarweed

Centromadia parryi (Pappose tarweed), native California herb

no rights reserved · CC0

Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native

Centromadia parryi (Pappose tarweed) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family.

Pappose tarweed is a California native perennial found in grasslands and open plains at elevations of 0 to 1,000 meters. Flowering from May to October, this plant produces yellow flowers with distinctive disk anthers that range from yellow to brown or deep reddish-purple in heads 2.5 to 10 millimeters wide. Growing with erect stems 10 to 70 centimeters tall, it develops a variable leaf surface that can be glabrous, scabrous-puberulent, or covered in coarse to soft hairs. Its leaves are characterized by occasional yellow glandular surfaces, creating a textured appearance across the plant. The fruit features a distinctive pappus of 3 to 5 linear or awl-shaped scales that aid in seed dispersal.

Habitat and range

California counties: Orange, San Luis Obispo, Napa, Santa Barbara, Lake, Monterey, Alameda, Solano

Frequently asked questions

Is Centromadia parryi native to California?

Yes. Centromadia parryi is native to California (recorded as native).

Where in California does Centromadia parryi grow?

Centromadia parryi occurs in Orange, San Luis Obispo, Napa, Santa Barbara, Lake, Monterey, Alameda, Solano.

What plant family does Centromadia parryi belong to?

Centromadia parryi is in the Asteraceae family, genus Centromadia.

Related species

Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.

All Centromadia species · All Asteraceae

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.