Eriastrum sapphirinum subsp. dasyanthum
Shaggy woolly-star
Photo: parent species Eriastrum sapphirinum · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Eriastrum sapphirinum subsp. dasyanthum (Shaggy woolly-star) is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by robust branched stems and densely woolly many-flowered heads.
Shaggy woolly-star is a California native annual found in southern Sierra Nevada foothills, southwestern California, and western deserts in open areas, grasslands, and mixed forests at elevations of 90 to 2,400 meters. Flowering from April to August, this plant produces distinctive white to light purplish flowers with light- to royal-blue or dark purple lobes, occasionally with yellow or white spots. Growing 3 to 54 centimeters tall with much-branched stems that are woolly and glandular, particularly in the upper portions. Its leaves range from 7 to 40 millimeters long, glabrous to woolly, and can be entire or divided into 5 linear lobes. The plant produces tiny capsules 3 to 5 millimeters long containing 1 to 4 slimy seeds that become angular when wet.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 24 sympatric species; robust branched stems and densely woolly many-flowered heads
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open areas on alluvial plains, flats, gentle slopes, benches above washes, meadows, disturbed areas, in grassland, scrub, chaparral, mixed forest
Elevation: 90-2400 m
California counties: Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Orange, Ventura, Santa Barbara
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Eriastrum sapphirinum subsp. dasyanthum blooms Apr-Aug.
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 sapphirinum subsp. dasyanthum native to California?
Yes. Eriastrum sapphirinum subsp. dasyanthum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriastrum sapphirinum subsp. dasyanthum bloom?
Eriastrum sapphirinum subsp. dasyanthum blooms Apr-Aug.
Where in California does Eriastrum sapphirinum subsp. dasyanthum grow?
Eriastrum sapphirinum subsp. dasyanthum occurs in Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Orange, Ventura, Santa Barbara, at elevations of 90-2400 m.
What plant family does Eriastrum sapphirinum subsp. dasyanthum belong to?
Eriastrum sapphirinum subsp. dasyanthum is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Eriastrum.
What habitat does Eriastrum sapphirinum subsp. dasyanthum grow in?
Eriastrum sapphirinum subsp. dasyanthum grows in Open areas on alluvial plains, flats, gentle slopes, benches above washes, meadows, disturbed areas, in grassland, scrub, chaparral, mixed forest.
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.