Eryngium vaseyi var. vaseyi
Coyote thistle
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Family: Apiaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Eryngium vaseyi var. vaseyi (Coyote thistle) is a native California perennial in the Apiaceae family, recognized by stemless habit and reflexed sepal tips diagnostic.
Coyote thistle is a California native perennial found in southern Coastal Ranges in vernal pool habitats at elevations of 220 to 320 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces white to bluish flowers with reflexed sepal tips. Growing with branches generally decumbent within its rosette, it forms a low-spreading structural pattern. Its leaves form a basal rosette with intricate branching that emerges from the center of the plant. The fruit develops with nearly equal ovate scales that come to a sharp point.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; stemless habit and reflexed sepal tips diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Vernal pools
Elevation: 220-320 m
Bloom period
Eryngium vaseyi var. vaseyi blooms May-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Navarretia: Eryngium has compact button-like heads; Navarretia has looser clusters with spine-tipped bracts radiating outward.; vs Dipsacus: Eryngium flower heads are round or cylindrical when young; teasel heads are elongated egg-shaped from the start.; vs Cirsium: Eryngium leaves are firm and waxy; thistle leaves are softer with white woolly undersides.; vs Plantago: Eryngium grows in wetlands with spiny bracts under each flower; plantain has ribbed leaves and lacks spiny bracts.; vs Sanicula: Eryngium has a single bract under each flower and a thistle-like appearance; Sanicula lacks individual bracts.
Frequently asked questions
Is Eryngium vaseyi var. vaseyi native to California?
Yes. Eryngium vaseyi var. vaseyi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eryngium vaseyi var. vaseyi bloom?
Eryngium vaseyi var. vaseyi blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Eryngium vaseyi var. vaseyi belong to?
Eryngium vaseyi var. vaseyi is in the Apiaceae family, genus Eryngium.
What habitat does Eryngium vaseyi var. vaseyi grow in?
Eryngium vaseyi var. vaseyi grows in Vernal pools.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Eryngium alismifolium — Alisma-leaved button-celery
- Eryngium aristulatum — California eryngo
- Eryngium aristulatum var. aristulatum — California eryngo
- Eryngium aristulatum var. hooveri — Hoover's button-celery
- Eryngium aristulatum var. parishii — San diego button-celery
- Eryngium armatum — Coastal button-celery
- Foeniculum sp.
- Foeniculum vulgare — Fennel
- Glehnia littoralis subsp. leiocarpa — American glehnia
- Glehnia sp.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-09
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.