Gamochaeta stachydifolia
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Annual · Not Native
Gamochaeta stachydifolia is a non-native California annual in the Asteraceae family, recognized by small size and yellow flowers.
Gamochaeta stachydifolia is a naturalized annual found in northern Sierra Nevada foothills and northeastern Sacramento Valley in disturbed sites at elevations of 30 to 500 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces pale yellow flowers in compact cylindrical clusters 2 to 3 centimeters long. Growing with erect stems 4 to 15 centimeters tall that are densely covered in gray-white cobwebby hairs, it has a delicate and fragile appearance. Its oblanceolate leaves range from 1 to 3 centimeters long, typically folded along the midvein and clasping the stem without distinct basal lobes. The plant's involucre is bell-shaped with tan to brown phyllary bracts arranged in 4 to 5 series, giving it a distinctive woolly texture.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; key features are small size and yellow flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed sites
Elevation: 30-500 m
Outside California: native to South America
Bloom period
Gamochaeta stachydifolia blooms Mar-May.
How to tell it apart
vs Pseudognaphalium: Gamochaeta has tight spike-like flower clusters; Pseudognaphalium has open, branched clusters spreading at the stem tips.; vs Gnaphalium: Gamochaeta forms erect spikes of densely clustered heads; Gnaphalium has prostrate stems with looser, sessile flower clusters.; vs Logfia: Gamochaeta has visible flower heads in narrow spikes; Logfia has heads completely hidden within dense woolly leaf clusters.; vs Stachys: Gamochaeta has spike-like clusters of papery flower heads; Stachys has whorls of tubular lipped mint flowers on square stems.; vs Corethrogyne: Gamochaeta has tiny woolly heads in tight spikes without ray petals; Corethrogyne has obvious white or purple ray petals around each head.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gamochaeta stachydifolia native to California?
No. Gamochaeta stachydifolia is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Gamochaeta stachydifolia bloom?
Gamochaeta stachydifolia blooms Mar-May.
What plant family does Gamochaeta stachydifolia belong to?
Gamochaeta stachydifolia is in the Asteraceae family, genus Gamochaeta.
What habitat does Gamochaeta stachydifolia grow in?
Gamochaeta stachydifolia grows in Disturbed sites.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.