Eriophyllum lanatum var. grandiflorum
Common woolly sunflower
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Eriophyllum lanatum var. grandiflorum (Common woolly sunflower) is a native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by large ray flowers and swollen peduncles.
Common woolly sunflower is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, Cascade Range, northern and central Sierra Nevada, and Sacramento Valley in dry, rocky sites, grasslands, and forests at elevations below 1,700 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces bright yellow ray flowers 10 to 20 millimeters long with golden disk centers in heads approximately 8 to 10 millimeters wide. Growing with stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it forms a short-lived perennial herb with an upright, somewhat branching habit. Its leaves are 3 to 8 centimeters long, typically entire or with shallow pinnate lobes, creating a delicate, textured appearance. The fruit is 3 to 4 millimeters long, with pappus scales typically longer than 1 millimeter.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; large ray flowers and swollen peduncles are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, generally rocky sites, grassland, forest
Elevation: < 1700 m
Outside California: Oregon, extinct in Mexico
Bloom period
Eriophyllum lanatum var. grandiflorum 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. grandiflorum native to California?
Yes. Eriophyllum lanatum var. grandiflorum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriophyllum lanatum var. grandiflorum bloom?
Eriophyllum lanatum var. grandiflorum blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Eriophyllum lanatum var. grandiflorum belong to?
Eriophyllum lanatum var. grandiflorum is in the Asteraceae family, genus Eriophyllum.
What habitat does Eriophyllum lanatum var. grandiflorum grow in?
Eriophyllum lanatum var. grandiflorum grows in Dry, generally rocky sites, grassland, forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Eriophyllum latilobum — San mateo woolly sunflower
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.