Euchiton sphaericus
Globe cottonleaf, Globe Cottonleaf
(c) Matt Scott, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Scott · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Euchiton sphaericus (Globe cottonleaf) is a non-native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by annual habit and spheric heads with acute phyllary tips.
Globe cottonleaf is a naturalized annual herb found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, and northern Coast Range highlands in grassy openings and disturbed soils at elevations of 30 to 700 meters. Flowering from July to October, this plant produces small, spherical flower heads clustered together in dense, whitish-green clusters approximately 10 to 20 millimeters in diameter. Growing with slender stems 5 to 80 centimeters tall that are simple or branched at the base, it has an upright, somewhat delicate form. Its linear leaves are 2 to 4 centimeters long and 1 to 2 millimeters wide, with the largest leaves positioned at mid-stem and having slightly wavy margins. The plant produces distinctive spherical head clusters with 4 to 8 bracts that extend beyond the flower heads, giving it a unique architectural appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; key features are annual habit and spheric heads with acute phyllary tips
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassy openings in wooded areas, disturbed soils, recent clearings
Elevation: 30-700 m
Outside California: Oregon, southeastern Asia, Pacific islands, native to Australia
Bloom period
Euchiton sphaericus blooms Jul-Oct.
How to tell it apart
vs Pseudognaphalium: Euchiton has dense spherical clusters with a leafy bract collar underneath; Pseudognaphalium has open, branched clusters without this collar.; vs Artemisia: Euchiton forms tight white ball-like flower clusters in moist areas; Artemisia has tiny greenish flowers in loose spikes and aromatic foliage.; vs Plecostachys: Euchiton has flower clusters tightly surrounded by prominent leafy bracts; Plecostachys lacks this distinctive bract collar arrangement.; vs Anaphalis: Euchiton has spherical clusters surrounded by leafy bracts; Anaphalis has flat-topped clusters without this leafy collar.; vs Gnaphalium: Euchiton has erect stems with ball-like flower clusters and leafy bract collars; Gnaphalium has prostrate stems without this structure.
Frequently asked questions
Is Euchiton sphaericus native to California?
No. Euchiton sphaericus is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Euchiton sphaericus bloom?
Euchiton sphaericus blooms Jul-Oct.
What plant family does Euchiton sphaericus belong to?
Euchiton sphaericus is in the Asteraceae family, genus Euchiton.
What habitat does Euchiton sphaericus grow in?
Euchiton sphaericus grows in Grassy openings in wooded areas, disturbed soils, recent clearings.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.