Eriophyllum lanatum var. croceum
Common woolly sunflower
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Eriophyllum lanatum var. croceum (Common woolly sunflower) is a native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by high elevation habitat and stoloniferous habit help distinguish it.
Common woolly sunflower is a California native perennial found in the Sierra Nevada Mountains under conifer forests at elevations of 1,300 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces golden-yellow ray flowers 8 to 10 millimeters long in distinctive sunflower-like heads. Growing with often stoloniferous stems, it forms low-spreading clumps typically 15 to 30 centimeters tall with a delicate, sprawling habit. Its leaves are oblanceolate to obovate, 2 to 5 centimeters long, with coarsely serrated edges and a silky-woolly underside that gives the plant its distinctive fuzzy texture. The flower heads emerge on slender peduncles 3 to 8 centimeters long, creating a delicate, airy appearance in mountain forest understories.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; high elevation habitat and stoloniferous habit help distinguish it
Habitat and range
Habitat: Generally under conifers
Elevation: 1300-2000 m
Bloom period
Eriophyllum lanatum var. croceum blooms May-Jul.
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 var. croceum native to California?
Yes. Eriophyllum lanatum var. croceum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriophyllum lanatum var. croceum bloom?
Eriophyllum lanatum var. croceum blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Eriophyllum lanatum var. croceum belong to?
Eriophyllum lanatum var. croceum is in the Asteraceae family, genus Eriophyllum.
What habitat does Eriophyllum lanatum var. croceum grow in?
Eriophyllum lanatum var. croceum grows in Generally under conifers.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Eriophyllum lanatum var. grandiflorum — Common woolly sunflower
- Eriophyllum lanatum var. hallii — Fort tejon woolly sunflower
- Eriophyllum lanatum var. integrifolium — Oregon sunshine
- Eriophyllum lanatum var. lanceolatum — Common woolly sunflower
- Eriophyllum lanatum var. obovatum — Southern sierra woolly sunflower
- Eriophyllum lanosum — White easter bonnets
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.