Eriophyllum lanatum
Common woolly sunflower
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Eriophyllum lanatum (Common woolly sunflower) is a native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by highly variable species with multiple varieties; perennial habit helps distinguish from annuals.
Common woolly sunflower is a California native perennial herb found in diverse habitats across multiple bioregions from low to moderate elevations. Flowering from March to August, this plant produces bright yellow daisy-like flowers with ray petals 6 to 20 millimeters long arranged in heads of 1 to 5 clusters. Growing with variable height from 10 to 100 centimeters tall, it has ascending to erect stems that become increasingly glabrous. Its leaves range from linear to ovate, typically 1 to 8 centimeters long, with variations from entire to somewhat pinnately compound. The flower heads feature 5 to 13 yellow ray flowers surrounding numerous disk flowers, creating a classic sunflower-like appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 18 sympatric species; highly variable species with multiple varieties; perennial habit helps distinguish from annuals
How to tell it apart
vs Achillea: Eriophyllum has woolly leaves; Achillea has feathery fern-like leaves and flat-topped white/pink flower clusters.; vs Lasthenia: Eriophyllum has densely woolly leaves; Lasthenia has smooth or sparsely hairy leaves.; vs Monolopia: Eriophyllum rays fall off cleanly; Monolopia rays have a small opposite lobe at base.; vs Artemisia: Eriophyllum has yellow ray flowers; Artemisia has tiny rayless heads and aromatic silver-gray foliage.; vs Pseudognaphalium: Eriophyllum has yellow ray petals; Pseudognaphalium has white/cream rayless everlasting flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Eriophyllum lanatum native to California?
Yes. Eriophyllum lanatum is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Eriophyllum lanatum belong to?
Eriophyllum lanatum is in the Asteraceae family, genus Eriophyllum.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Eriophyllum lanatum var. achilleoides — Yarrow leaved woolly sunflower
- Eriophyllum lanatum var. arachnoideum — Common woolly sunflower
- Eriophyllum lanatum var. croceum — Common woolly sunflower
- Eriophyllum lanatum var. grandiflorum — Common woolly sunflower
- Eriophyllum lanatum var. hallii — Fort tejon woolly sunflower
- Eriophyllum lanatum var. integrifolium — Oregon sunshine
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.