Eriastrum diffusum subsp. coachellae
Coachella woolly-star
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Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Eriastrum diffusum subsp. coachellae (Coachella woolly-star) is a native California annual in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by small flower size and low elevation desert habitat are key.
Coachella woolly-star is a California native annual found in desert regions of southern California in washes, alluvial plains, and desert wash scrub at elevations of 0 to 500 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces delicate white to cream flowers, occasionally with tiny reddish spots, featuring a yellow throat approximately 0.5 to 0.75 millimeters long. Growing 4.5 to 16 centimeters tall with erect to spreading stems that can sometimes be decumbent, it develops young leaves that are woolly and become less hairy with age. Its leaves are typically 7 to 20 millimeters long, with zero to three narrow lobes, creating a soft, intricate texture. The plant produces small capsules about 3 to 4 millimeters long containing tan, angular seeds approximately 1 to 1.25 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 15 sympatric species - small flower size and low elevation desert habitat are key
Habitat and range
Habitat: Washes, alluvial plains, sandbars, in creosote bush, desert wash scrub
Elevation: 0-500 m
Bloom period
Eriastrum diffusum subsp. coachellae blooms Mar-May.
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 diffusum subsp. coachellae native to California?
Yes. Eriastrum diffusum subsp. coachellae is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriastrum diffusum subsp. coachellae bloom?
Eriastrum diffusum subsp. coachellae blooms Mar-May.
What plant family does Eriastrum diffusum subsp. coachellae belong to?
Eriastrum diffusum subsp. coachellae is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Eriastrum.
What habitat does Eriastrum diffusum subsp. coachellae grow in?
Eriastrum diffusum subsp. coachellae grows in Washes, alluvial plains, sandbars, in creosote bush, desert wash scrub.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.