Eriastrum densifolium subsp. densifolium
Perennial woolly-star
(c) Jerry Kirkhart, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Eriastrum densifolium subsp. densifolium (Perennial woolly-star) is a native California subshrub in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by woody perennial habit and axillary short-shoots.
Perennial woolly-star is a California native perennial found in southern Central Coast bioregions on coastal dunes and dune-to-chaparral transition zones at elevations of 0 to 60 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces white, pale yellow, purple, or pink flowers with bright blue lobes in dense heads 1 to 3 centimeters wide. Growing with erect or spreading woody stems 20 to 30 centimeters tall, it features distinctive axillary short-shoots that appear as fascicles of compact leaves. Its leaves range 12 to 37 millimeters long, typically glabrous and either entire or divided into 3 to 7 lobes. The plant's flowers are particularly notable for stamens that extend 4 to 6 millimeters beyond the corolla and bright blue flower lobes with darker veins.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; distinguished by woody perennial habit and axillary short-shoots
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal dunes, transition between dune scrub and coastal chaparral
Elevation: 0-60 m
California counties: San Luis Obispo, Kern, Riverside, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Inyo, San Bernardino, San Diego, Tulare, Monterey, Ventura
Bloom period
Eriastrum densifolium subsp. densifolium blooms Jun-Jul.
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 subsp. densifolium native to California?
Yes. Eriastrum densifolium subsp. densifolium is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriastrum densifolium subsp. densifolium bloom?
Eriastrum densifolium subsp. densifolium blooms Jun-Jul.
Where in California does Eriastrum densifolium subsp. densifolium grow?
Eriastrum densifolium subsp. densifolium occurs in San Luis Obispo, Kern, Riverside, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Inyo, San Bernardino, San Diego and other counties, at elevations of 0-60 m.
What plant family does Eriastrum densifolium subsp. densifolium belong to?
Eriastrum densifolium subsp. densifolium is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Eriastrum.
What habitat does Eriastrum densifolium subsp. densifolium grow in?
Eriastrum densifolium subsp. densifolium grows in Coastal dunes, transition between dune scrub and coastal chaparral.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Eriastrum diffusum — Spreading woolly-star
- Eriastrum diffusum subsp. coachellae — Coachella 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.