Eriophyllum lanatum var. obovatum
Southern sierra woolly sunflower, Southern Sierra Woolly Sunflower
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Eriophyllum lanatum var. obovatum (Southern sierra woolly sunflower) is a native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by simple leaf margins and swollen peduncles help identify this variety.
Southern sierra woolly sunflower is a California native perennial ranked 4.3 by CNPS, found in central Sierra Nevada and San Bernardo Mountains in open conifer forest at elevations of 1,300 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces yellow daisy-like flowers with 12 to 13 rays 6 to 7 millimeters long. Growing with short-lived stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it has a dense woolly appearance. Its leaves are 1 to 5 centimeters long, entire to slightly toothed toward the tips, and densely covered in woolly hairs. The flower heads are solitary, with peduncles 3 to 10 centimeters long that are often slightly swollen below the flower head.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; simple leaf margins and swollen peduncles help identify this variety
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open conifer forest
Elevation: 1300-2500 m
Bloom period
Eriophyllum lanatum var. obovatum blooms Jun-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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. obovatum native to California?
Yes. Eriophyllum lanatum var. obovatum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriophyllum lanatum var. obovatum bloom?
Eriophyllum lanatum var. obovatum blooms Jun-Jul.
What plant family does Eriophyllum lanatum var. obovatum belong to?
Eriophyllum lanatum var. obovatum is in the Asteraceae family, genus Eriophyllum.
Is Eriophyllum lanatum var. obovatum rare or endangered?
Eriophyllum lanatum var. obovatum carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
What habitat does Eriophyllum lanatum var. obovatum grow in?
Eriophyllum lanatum var. obovatum grows in Open conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.