Cota tinctoria
Golden marguerite
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Cota tinctoria (Golden marguerite) is a non-native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by Only Cota in California, recently segregated from Anthemis and representing a European garden escape.
Golden marguerite is a naturalized perennial herb found in the northern Sierra Nevada Mountains in disturbed areas, roadsides, and garden escapes at elevations below 2,000 meters. Flowering with yellow ray flowers 6 to 12 millimeters long in heads 2.5 centimeters in diameter, this plant produces bright golden daisy-like blossoms. Growing with erect hairy stems less than 30 centimeters tall, it spreads from cultivated garden origins. Its finely divided leaves have ultimate lobes that are linear or narrowly oblong, giving the plant a delicate, feathery appearance. The plant's phyllaries are silvery-hairy with often ciliate margins, adding to its distinctive textural quality.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Only Cota in California, recently segregated from Anthemis and representing a European garden escape
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Escape from cultivation, persisting from gardens, disturbed areas, roadsides
Elevation: < 2000 m
Outside California: to Canada, eastern United States, native to southern Europe, western Asia
How to tell it apart
vs Glebionis: Graduated unequal bracts vs. equal-length bracts in Glebionis.; vs Eriophyllum: Tiny crown-like seed tuft (0.2mm) vs. scales/bristles in woolly sunflower.; vs Rigiopappus: Bracts graduated (unequal sizes) vs. all equal length in Rigiopappus.; vs Gaillardia: Tiny crown seed tuft vs. long bristle-tipped scales in blanketflower.; vs Coreopsis: Graduated bracts in several series vs. two distinct layers in Coreopsis.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cota tinctoria native to California?
No. Cota tinctoria is not native to California (recorded as not native).
What plant family does Cota tinctoria belong to?
Cota tinctoria is in the Asteraceae family, genus Cota.
What habitat does Cota tinctoria grow in?
Cota tinctoria grows in Uncommon. Escape from cultivation, persisting from gardens, disturbed areas, roadsides.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.