Grindelia hirsutula
Gumweed
(c) Alan Rockefeller, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alan Rockefeller · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 3.2
Grindelia hirsutula (Gumweed) is a native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by branching pattern and pubescence.
Gumweed is a California native perennial found in the North Coast Ranges, Central Valley, Central Western, Southern California Coast, and Transverse Ranges in sandy, clay, or serpentine slopes and roadsides at elevations up to 1,700 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces yellow flowers with ray flowers 8 to 20 millimeters long in involucre heads 7 to 25 millimeters wide. Growing with erect, few-branched stems 20 to 150 centimeters tall that are green and sometimes hairy, it forms a distinctive upright habit. Its leaves range from oblong to lanceolate, 1 to 10 centimeters long, with variable green coloration from yellow to red or gray-green, sometimes with entire or slightly serrated margins. The fruit is golden to red-brown, 2.5 to 5.5 millimeters long with a truncate or knobby top.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; distinguished by branching pattern and pubescence
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy, clay, or serpentine slopes or roadsides
Elevation: < 1700 m
Bloom period
Grindelia hirsutula blooms Apr-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 3.2
How to tell it apart
vs Heterotheca: Grindelia has sticky gummy bracts; Heterotheca has dry, non-sticky bracts and spreading hairs on stems.; vs Agoseris: Grindelia has ray and disc flowers; Agoseris has only strap-shaped ligulate flowers (dandelion-like).; vs Erigeron: Grindelia has gummy sticky bracts; Erigeron has dry bracts and typically 50+ very narrow rays.; vs Solidago: Grindelia has large sticky-bracted heads; Solidago has tiny non-sticky heads in dense branched clusters.; vs Deinandra: Grindelia bracts curl backward and are gummy; Deinandra has spine-tipped bracts and is a tarweed.
Frequently asked questions
Is Grindelia hirsutula native to California?
Yes. Grindelia hirsutula is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Grindelia hirsutula bloom?
Grindelia hirsutula blooms Apr-Jun.
What plant family does Grindelia hirsutula belong to?
Grindelia hirsutula is in the Asteraceae family, genus Grindelia.
Is Grindelia hirsutula rare or endangered?
Grindelia hirsutula carries California Rare Plant Rank 3.2, state rank S1.
What habitat does Grindelia hirsutula grow in?
Grindelia hirsutula grows in Sandy, clay, or serpentine slopes or roadsides.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.