Eriastrum densifolium subsp. patens
Spreading woolly-star
(c) Jerry Kirkhart, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Eriastrum densifolium subsp. patens (Spreading woolly-star) is a native California perennial in the Polemoniaceae family.
Spreading woolly-star is a California native perennial found in coastal regions of southern California on coastal dunes and coastal chaparral at elevations of 2 to 30 meters. Flowering in June, this plant produces white to pale blue flowers with sky-blue lobes, sometimes with darker blue veins and occasionally featuring a purple ring. Growing with several spreading stems 10 to 25 centimeters tall from a woody base, the plant becomes less densely woolly as it ages. Its leaves are distinctively woolly, typically 13 to 26 millimeters long with 5 to 7 lobes, each lateral lobe up to 5 millimeters in length. The plant produces small capsules approximately 4.2 to 5 millimeters long, with ovules nestled within its intricate floral structure.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 26 sympatric species - perennial vs annual growth form is key differentiator
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal dunes, coastal chaparral
Elevation: 2-30 m
Bloom period
Eriastrum densifolium subsp. patens blooms Jun.
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. patens native to California?
Yes. Eriastrum densifolium subsp. patens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriastrum densifolium subsp. patens bloom?
Eriastrum densifolium subsp. patens blooms Jun.
What plant family does Eriastrum densifolium subsp. patens belong to?
Eriastrum densifolium subsp. patens is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Eriastrum.
What habitat does Eriastrum densifolium subsp. patens grow in?
Eriastrum densifolium subsp. patens grows in Coastal dunes, coastal chaparral.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Eriastrum densifolium subsp. sanctorum — Santa ana river woolly-star
- Eriastrum diffusum — Spreading woolly-star
- Eriastrum diffusum subsp. coachellae — Coachella woolly-star
- Eriastrum diffusum subsp. diffusum — Spreading woolly-star
- Eriastrum eremicum subsp. eremicum — Desert woolly-star
- Eriastrum ertterae — Lime ridge woolly-star
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.