Gutierrezia sarothrae

Matchweed, Matchweed

Family: Asteraceae · Type: shrub · Native

Matchweed is a California native shrub found in southern coastal, western Transverse, Peninsular, and desert bioregions in grassland, desert, and montane areas at elevations of 50 to 3,050 meters. Flowering from May to October, this plant produces yellow flowers in small heads 6 to 14 millimeters long, arranged in clusters of 2 to 5. Growing 1 to 6 decimeters tall with sprawling or upright stems that are brown at the base and green or tan above, it forms distinctive clumps. Its leaves are a mix of single lance-linear leaves and clustered thread-like leaves, creating a delicate, sparse appearance. The plant's compact size and ability to thrive in diverse habitats from coastal to desert environments make it a resilient and adaptable species.

Habitat: Grassland, desert, montane areas

Bloom period: May-Oct

Elevation: 50-3050 m

Bioregions: SCo, WTR, PR, D

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.