Chaenactis carphoclinia var. carphoclinia
Pebble pincushion
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Chaenactis carphoclinia var. carphoclinia (Pebble pincushion) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by needle-like bracts and paleae visible above buds.
Pebble pincushion is a California native annual found in southern Sierra Nevada and desert regions on open, rocky or gravelly slopes at elevations of 90 to 1,900 meters. Flowering from March to June, this delicate plant produces white to cream-colored flowers in small, compact clusters. Growing with slender stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it forms an airy, sparse structure characteristic of desert annual wildflowers. Its leaves are predominantly basal, with slender, flexible petioles and blades up to 6 centimeters long that tend to wither as the plant matures. The plant's compact size and ability to thrive in rocky, harsh environments make it a distinctive member of its desert and mountain habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; key features are needle-like bracts and paleae visible above buds
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Open, generally rocky or gravelly slopes, flats
Elevation: -90-1900 m
Outside California: to Utah, southwestern New Mexico, northwestern Mexico
Bloom period
Chaenactis carphoclinia var. carphoclinia blooms Mar-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Eriophyllum: Eriophyllum has obvious yellow ray flowers; Chaenactis completely lacks rays; vs Lasthenia: Lasthenia has bright yellow rays; Chaenactis rayless with white/purple tubular flowers only; vs Malacothrix: Malacothrix has all strap-shaped flowers and milky sap; Chaenactis all tubular, clear sap; vs Eriogonum: Eriogonum flowers have 6 segments in ball-like clusters; Chaenactis typical composite heads; vs Uropappus: Uropappus has all strap-shaped yellow flowers; Chaenactis all tubular white/purple flowers
Frequently asked questions
Is Chaenactis carphoclinia var. carphoclinia native to California?
Yes. Chaenactis carphoclinia var. carphoclinia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chaenactis carphoclinia var. carphoclinia bloom?
Chaenactis carphoclinia var. carphoclinia blooms Mar-Jun.
What plant family does Chaenactis carphoclinia var. carphoclinia belong to?
Chaenactis carphoclinia var. carphoclinia is in the Asteraceae family, genus Chaenactis.
What habitat does Chaenactis carphoclinia var. carphoclinia grow in?
Chaenactis carphoclinia var. carphoclinia grows in Common. Open, generally rocky or gravelly slopes, flats.
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.