Eriophyllum nubigenum
Yosemite woolly sunflower, Yosemite Woolly Sunflower
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Eriophyllum nubigenum (Yosemite woolly sunflower) is a native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by high elevation habitat and tiny ray flowers distinguish this rare species.
Yosemite woolly sunflower is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native annual found in central Sierra Nevada Mountains in Mariposa County, growing in open, gravelly or rocky forest at elevations of 1,800 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces yellow daisy-like flowers with small ray petals approximately 1 millimeter long. Growing with strictly ascending branches 5 to 15 centimeters tall, the plant is densely covered in gray woolly hairs. Its leaves are oblanceolate, entire, and 1 to 2 centimeters long, creating a compact and delicate appearance. The plant forms small, cylindric flower heads with 4 to 6 ray flowers and 3 to 16 disk flowers.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; high elevation habitat and tiny ray flowers distinguish this rare species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, gravelly or rocky forest
Elevation: 1800-2500 m
Bloom period
Eriophyllum nubigenum blooms Jun-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.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 nubigenum native to California?
Yes. Eriophyllum nubigenum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriophyllum nubigenum bloom?
Eriophyllum nubigenum blooms Jun-Jul.
What plant family does Eriophyllum nubigenum belong to?
Eriophyllum nubigenum is in the Asteraceae family, genus Eriophyllum.
Is Eriophyllum nubigenum rare or endangered?
Eriophyllum nubigenum carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S2.
What habitat does Eriophyllum nubigenum grow in?
Eriophyllum nubigenum grows in Open, gravelly or rocky 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.