Dyssodia papposa

Dogweed, Dogweed

Family: Asteraceae · Type: perennial · Not Native

Dogweed is a naturalized annual found in eastern Southern California, specifically in southwestern San Bernardino County, on roadsides and disturbed fields at elevations below 350 meters. Flowering from May to October, this plant produces yellow ray flowers with narrow petals 1.5 to 2.5 millimeters long, surrounded by an unpleasant-smelling inflorescence. Growing with finely divided stems up to 50 centimeters tall, it has a distinctive branching habit. Its leaves are deeply lobed with 11 to 15 narrow segments, each 5 to 20 millimeters long, dotted with embedded oil glands that contribute to its distinctive odor. The plant produces small fruits 3 to 3.5 millimeters long, typical of its daisy family heritage.

Habitat: Roadsides, disturbed fields

Bloom period: May-Oct

Elevation: < 350 m

Bioregions: e SCo (sw San Bernardino Co.), probably extirpated

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.