Chloracantha sp.
Spiny aster, Spiny Aster
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Annual · Native
Chloracantha sp. (Spiny aster) is a native California annual in the Asteraceae family.
How to tell it apart
vs Erigeron: Erigeron never has thorny stems and lacks orange resin-filled veins in bracts; vs Lepidospartum: Lepidospartum has scale-like leaves and broom-like stems, not thorny branches with normal leaves; vs Chaetopappa: Chaetopappa is a tiny delicate plant without thorns; vs Xylorhiza: Xylorhiza has large showy heads and no thorns on stems; vs Corethrogyne: Corethrogyne lacks thorns and has brown pappus, not orange-veined bracts
Frequently asked questions
Is Chloracantha sp. native to California?
Yes. Chloracantha sp. is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Chloracantha sp. belong to?
Chloracantha sp. is in the Asteraceae family, genus Chloracantha.
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.