Chaenactis carphoclinia var. peirsonii
Peirson's pincushion
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Chaenactis carphoclinia var. peirsonii (Peirson's pincushion) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by thick leaf stalks and large persistent basal leaves.
Peirson's pincushion is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native annual found in the eastern Santa Rosa Mountains and adjacent western Sonoran Desert areas on open, rocky or gravelly slopes below 200 meters elevation. Flowering from March to April, this plant produces delicate white to pale yellow flowers in small, clustered heads. Growing to 40 to 60 centimeters tall with stiff, erect stems that have a distinctively thick and enlarged base, it forms an airy, open structure. Its leaves are primarily basal and persistent, with the longest reaching 7 to 10 centimeters, featuring thick petioles that anchor the plant in rocky terrain. The delicate white flowers and sprawling growth make this annual a distinctive resident of desert and mountain transitional zones.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; key features are thick leaf stalks and large persistent basal leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, generally rocky or gravelly slopes, flats
Elevation: < 200 m
Bloom period
Chaenactis carphoclinia var. peirsonii blooms Mar-Apr.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
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. peirsonii native to California?
Yes. Chaenactis carphoclinia var. peirsonii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chaenactis carphoclinia var. peirsonii bloom?
Chaenactis carphoclinia var. peirsonii blooms Mar-Apr.
What plant family does Chaenactis carphoclinia var. peirsonii belong to?
Chaenactis carphoclinia var. peirsonii is in the Asteraceae family, genus Chaenactis.
Is Chaenactis carphoclinia var. peirsonii rare or endangered?
Chaenactis carphoclinia var. peirsonii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S2.
What habitat does Chaenactis carphoclinia var. peirsonii grow in?
Chaenactis carphoclinia var. peirsonii grows in Open, generally rocky or gravelly slopes, flats.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Chaenactis douglasii — Chaenactis
- Chaenactis douglasii var. alpina — Alpine dusty-maidens
- Chaenactis douglasii var. douglasii — Dusty-maidens; false yarrow
- Chaenactis fremontii — Fremont pincushion
- Chaenactis glabriuscula — Yellow pincushion
- Chaenactis glabriuscula var. glabriuscula — Common yellow chaenactis
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.