Chaenactis fremontii
Fremont pincushion
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Chaenactis fremontii (Fremont pincushion) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by radiant heads and glabrous condition at flowering.
Fremont pincushion is a California native annual found in southern Sierra Nevada foothills, Tehachapi, southern San Joaquin Valley, south Coast Ranges, northern and eastern edges of southwestern California, southern Sierra Nevada eastern edges, and desert regions in loose sandy or gravelly habitats at elevations of -10 to 1,600 meters. Flowering from February to May, this plant produces white to pale pink flowers in radiant heads with outer flowers spreading wider than inner flowers. Growing with slender branching stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall, often emerging through shrubs, with early grayish cobwebby hairs that diminish by flowering time. Its leaves are primarily basal and cauline, with linear to slightly elliptic blades up to 7 centimeters long, often with 1 to 2 pairs of cylindric lobes. The fruit is 6 to 8 millimeters long with a distinctive pappus of 4 scales whose tips are visible among the flower buds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species; key features are radiant heads and glabrous condition at flowering
Habitat and range
Habitat: Loose sand or gravel, often growing through shrubs
Elevation: -10-1600(2200) m
Outside California: to southwestern Utah, western Arizona, northern Baja California
Bloom period
Chaenactis fremontii blooms Feb-May.
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 fremontii native to California?
Yes. Chaenactis fremontii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chaenactis fremontii bloom?
Chaenactis fremontii blooms Feb-May.
What plant family does Chaenactis fremontii belong to?
Chaenactis fremontii is in the Asteraceae family, genus Chaenactis.
What habitat does Chaenactis fremontii grow in?
Chaenactis fremontii grows in Loose sand or gravel, often growing through shrubs.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Chaenactis glabriuscula — Yellow pincushion
- Chaenactis glabriuscula var. glabriuscula — Common yellow chaenactis
- Chaenactis glabriuscula var. heterocarpha — Inner coast range pincushion
- Chaenactis glabriuscula var. lanosa — Sand buttons
- Chaenactis glabriuscula var. megacephala — Big headed yellow chaenactis
- Chaenactis glabriuscula var. orcuttiana — Orcutt's 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.