Grindelia nana
Idaho gumweed
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Grindelia nana (Idaho gumweed) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by size, habit, and phyllary coiling.
Idaho gumweed is a California native perennial found in the northern California Mountains and Modoc Plateau in dry, sandy hills and roadsides at elevations of 100 to 1,800 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces yellow flowers in heads 7 to 12 millimeters wide with 11 to 28 ray flowers 5 to 11 millimeters long. Growing with decumbent to erect stems 10 to 50 centimeters tall, it branches throughout its structure with a robust, spreading habit. Its leaves are oblanceolate, 3 to 9 centimeters long, ranging from yellow to gray-green with entire or slightly serrate margins and a distinctive resinous surface. The fruit is light brown, 3.5 to 4 millimeters long with two pappus awns at the top.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; distinguished by size, habit, and phyllary coiling
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, sandy hills, roadsides
Elevation: 100-1800 m
Outside California: to Washington, Montana
Bloom period
Grindelia nana blooms Jun-Sep.
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 nana native to California?
Yes. Grindelia nana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Grindelia nana bloom?
Grindelia nana blooms Jun-Sep.
What plant family does Grindelia nana belong to?
Grindelia nana is in the Asteraceae family, genus Grindelia.
What habitat does Grindelia nana grow in?
Grindelia nana grows in Dry, sandy hills, roadsides.
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.