Centromadia pungens subsp. pungens
Common spikeweed, Common Spikeweed
Photo: parent species Centromadia pungens · (c) jayjt, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Centromadia pungens subsp. pungens (Common spikeweed) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by lack of pappus, bristly margins, and exserted spine-tipped paleae.
Common spikeweed is a California native perennial found in southern North Coast Ranges, southern North Coast Inner, Cascade Range, southern Sierra Nevada Foothills, Central Valley, Central Western California, southern Southwest California, southern Modoc Plateau, and western edge of Desert Mountains in grasslands, saltbush scrub, and disturbed sites at elevations up to 1,200 meters. Flowering from April to November, this plant produces yellow to brown flowers with distinctive spine-tipped paleae that protrude beyond the flower heads. Growing with spreading or ascending stems 10 to 50 centimeters tall, it develops a robust and often bristly appearance. Its leaves are variable, with surfaces ranging from smooth to coarsely hairy, often featuring a bristly midrib and occasionally ciliate margins near the base. The plant is particularly notable for its aggressive growth in disturbed habitats and its intricate, spiny flower structures.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; key features are lack of pappus, bristly margins, and exserted spine-tipped paleae
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassland, saltbush scrub, disturbed sites
Elevation: < 1200(1800) m
California counties: Kern, Lake, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Solano, Sonoma, Tulare, Modoc, Stanislaus, Yolo, Amador, Humboldt, Santa Barbara, Siskiyou, Alameda, Contra Costa, Colusa, Fresno, Marin, Merced, Monterey, Napa, Sacramento, San Benito, San Bernardino, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Lassen, Madera, Sutter, Santa Cruz, Nevada, San Diego, Kings
Outside California: to Washington, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, Baja California, also New York
Bloom period
Centromadia pungens subsp. pungens blooms Apr-Nov.
Frequently asked questions
Is Centromadia pungens subsp. pungens native to California?
Yes. Centromadia pungens subsp. pungens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Centromadia pungens subsp. pungens bloom?
Centromadia pungens subsp. pungens blooms Apr-Nov.
Where in California does Centromadia pungens subsp. pungens grow?
Centromadia pungens subsp. pungens occurs in Kern, Lake, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Solano, Sonoma, Tulare and other counties, at elevations of < 1200(1800) m.
What plant family does Centromadia pungens subsp. pungens belong to?
Centromadia pungens subsp. pungens is in the Asteraceae family, genus Centromadia.
What habitat does Centromadia pungens subsp. pungens grow in?
Centromadia pungens subsp. pungens grows in Grassland, saltbush scrub, disturbed sites.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Centromadia sp. — Spikeweed
- Centromadia fitchii — Spikeweed
- Centromadia parryi — Pappose tarweed
- Centromadia parryi subsp. australis — Southern tarplant
- Centromadia parryi subsp. congdonii — Congdon's tarplant
- Centromadia parryi subsp. parryi — Pappose tarplant
- Chaenactis alpigena — Sharsmith pincushion
- Chaenactis artemisiifolia — White pincushion
- Chaenactis carphoclinia — Pebble pincushion
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.