Chaenactis glabriuscula
Yellow pincushion, Yellow Pincushion
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Chaenactis glabriuscula (Yellow pincushion) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by Annual with cobwebby gray-white (soon shed) hairs; 1--2-pinnately lobed leaves; YELLOW flowers -- the only yellow-flowered pincushion of….
Yellow pincushion is a California native annual found in desert and foothill regions in sandy or gravelly habitats at low elevations. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces bright to dark yellow flowers in radiant heads with 1 to 20 flower clusters, each head approximately 1 centimeter wide. Growing with slender stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall, the plant has branches that are often sparse or minimal. Its leaves are primarily basal, with blades generally elliptic and 1 to 2 times pinnately lobed, ranging from 1 to 10 centimeters long. The fruit is 3 to 9 millimeters long, with a distinctive pappus of 4 to 8 scales in one or two series.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Annual with cobwebby gray-white (soon shed) hairs; 1--2-pinnately lobed leaves; YELLOW flowers -- the only yellow-flowered pincushion of the group; cismontane
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 glabriuscula native to California?
Yes. Chaenactis glabriuscula is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Chaenactis glabriuscula belong to?
Chaenactis glabriuscula is in the Asteraceae family, genus Chaenactis.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Chaenactis macrantha — Mojave 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.