Eclipta prostrata
False daisy
(c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Eclipta prostrata (False daisy) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by Pantropical genus with specialized niche in wet disturbed habitats; represents different adaptive strategy within Asteraceae.
False daisy is a California native annual found in the Great Valley, southern Coast Ranges, southwestern California, and desert regions in damp places at elevations below 1,350 meters. Flowering all year, this plant produces white flowers in heads approximately 4 to 10 millimeters wide with delicate ray and disk florets. Growing with spreading to ascending stems 10 to 100 centimeters tall that are somewhat strigose throughout, it has a distinctive branching habit. Its leaves are narrow, 2 to 10 centimeters long, linear to lanceolate with acute tips, ranging from entire to slightly toothed. Small obovate fruits measuring 1.7 to 2.2 millimeters develop with a minimal pappus less than 0.2 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Pantropical genus with specialized niche in wet disturbed habitats; represents different adaptive strategy within Asteraceae
Habitat and range
Habitat: Damp places
Elevation: < 1350 m
Outside California: a weed on all continents
Bloom period
Eclipta prostrata blooms All year.
How to tell it apart
vs Achillea: Achillea has finely divided fern-like leaves; Eclipta has simple, undivided leaves.; vs Galinsoga: Galinsoga has opposite leaves and broader ray petals; Eclipta has alternate leaves and extremely narrow, thread-like rays.; vs Rigiopappus: Rigiopappus grows in dry upland areas; Eclipta is always in wet, muddy places.; vs Cosmos: Cosmos has finely dissected feathery leaves; Eclipta has simple, entire leaves.; vs Chamaemelum: Chamaemelum has aromatic, finely divided leaves; Eclipta has simple, scentless leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Eclipta prostrata native to California?
Yes. Eclipta prostrata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eclipta prostrata bloom?
Eclipta prostrata blooms All year.
What plant family does Eclipta prostrata belong to?
Eclipta prostrata is in the Asteraceae family, genus Eclipta.
What habitat does Eclipta prostrata grow in?
Eclipta prostrata grows in Damp places.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.