Chaenactis sp.
Pincushion, dusty-maidens, Dusty-Maidens
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Annual · Native
Chaenactis sp. (Pincushion) is a native California annual in the Asteraceae family.
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 sp. native to California?
Yes. Chaenactis sp. is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Chaenactis sp. belong to?
Chaenactis sp. is in the Asteraceae family, genus Chaenactis.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.