Eriophyllum multicaule
Many-stem woolly sunflower, Many-Stem Woolly Sunflower
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Trevor Van Loon · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Eriophyllum multicaule (Many-stem woolly sunflower) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by sessile clustered heads and fleshy purple stems.
Many-stem woolly sunflower is a California native annual found in southwestern San Joaquin Valley (eastern San Luis Obispo and northeastern Santa Barbara counties), southern Coastal Ranges, southern California, San Gabriel Mountains, and Peninsular Ranges in sandy soils and open coastal scrub and chaparral at elevations below 1,600 meters. Flowering from March to July, this plant produces yellow ray flowers with small 2-millimeter rays in compact clusters. Growing low to the ground with decumbent-ascending stems 2 to 15 centimeters tall that are green to purple and often becoming smooth, it has a fleshy, compact form. Its wedge-shaped leaves are approximately 1 centimeter long, featuring 2 to 3 lobes and a woolly texture. The fruit is a small, narrow club-shaped structure about 2 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; sessile clustered heads and fleshy purple stems are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy soils, open coastal scrub, chaparral
Elevation: < 1600 m
Bloom period
Eriophyllum multicaule blooms Mar-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 multicaule native to California?
Yes. Eriophyllum multicaule is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriophyllum multicaule bloom?
Eriophyllum multicaule blooms Mar-Jul.
What plant family does Eriophyllum multicaule belong to?
Eriophyllum multicaule is in the Asteraceae family, genus Eriophyllum.
What habitat does Eriophyllum multicaule grow in?
Eriophyllum multicaule grows in Sandy soils, open coastal scrub, chaparral.
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.