Eriastrum densifolium
Perennial woolly-star, giant woolly-star
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Eriastrum densifolium (Perennial woolly-star) is a native California subshrub in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by Only woody perennial/subshrub woolly-star; woody caudex, sometimes flaking stem bark; annual congeners lack this.
Perennial woolly-star is a California native perennial herb found in California's coastal regions, chaparral, and coastal sage scrub habitats. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces white to pale blue, lavender, and occasionally pink flowers with 3.5 to 11 millimeter lobes and darker blue or purple veins. Growing 20 to 90 centimeters tall with erect or spreading stems that are often branched from the base, it develops a woody caudex and can have axillary short shoots. Its leaves are 10 to 50 millimeters long, ranging from woolly to nearly smooth, with 0 to 15 linear or lanceolate lobes. The fruit is a small tan capsule containing 1 to 11 seeds per chamber, typically 2.5 to 6 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Only woody perennial/subshrub woolly-star; woody caudex, sometimes flaking stem bark; annual congeners lack this.
Habitat and range
California counties: San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Kern, Riverside, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Inyo, San Benito, San Diego, Tulare, Alameda
How to tell it apart
vs Navarretia: Eriastrum has fluffy white woolly hairs; Navarretia has spine-tipped bracts and leaves without woolly hairs.; vs Gilia: Eriastrum flower clusters are densely woolly-hairy; Gilia flower clusters lack woolly hairs.; vs Loeseliastrum: Eriastrum has woolly tufted hairs and radial flowers; Loeseliastrum has simple hairs and bilateral flowers.; vs Langloisia: Eriastrum has woolly tufted white hairs; Langloisia has stiff branched bristly hairs.; vs Petalonyx: Eriastrum has opposite lobed leaves in Polemoniaceae; Petalonyx has alternate simple leaves in Loasaceae.
Frequently asked questions
Is Eriastrum densifolium native to California?
Yes. Eriastrum densifolium is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Eriastrum densifolium grow?
Eriastrum densifolium occurs in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Kern, Riverside, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey and other counties.
What plant family does Eriastrum densifolium belong to?
Eriastrum densifolium is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Eriastrum.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Eriastrum densifolium subsp. austromontanum — Mountain woolly-star
- Eriastrum densifolium subsp. densifolium — Perennial woolly-star
- Eriastrum densifolium subsp. elongatum — Elongate woolly-star
- Eriastrum densifolium subsp. mohavense — Mojave woolly-star
- Eriastrum densifolium subsp. patens — Spreading woolly-star
- Eriastrum densifolium subsp. sanctorum — Santa ana river woolly-star
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.