Helianthus niveus subsp. tephrodes
Algodones dunes sunflower, Algodones Dunes Sunflower
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Helianthus niveus subsp. tephrodes (Algodones dunes sunflower) is a native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by distinctive white-hairy appearance and sand dune habitat.
Algodones dunes sunflower is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in southern Desert Sonoran regions of Imperial County on sand dunes at elevations generally below 100 meters. Flowering from March to May and October to January, this plant produces yellow ray flowers with red-purple disk lobes in heads 8 to 28 millimeters wide. Growing 15 to 50 centimeters tall with soft white stems covered in appressed hairs, it develops from a robust taproot. Its alternate leaves are triangular-ovate, 3 to 7 centimeters long, with wedge-shaped bases and densely white-hairy surfaces that are gland-dotted underneath. The fruit is 4 to 8 millimeters long and covered in long, dense hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; distinctive white-hairy appearance and sand dune habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand dunes
Elevation: generally < 100 m
Outside California: southwestern Arizona, northern Mexico
Bloom period
Helianthus niveus subsp. tephrodes blooms Mar-May, Oct--Jan.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Encelia: Helianthus is herbaceous with soft stems; Encelia is a woody shrub with persistent branches.; vs Bahiopsis: Helianthus has soft herbaceous stems; Bahiopsis is woody-based with persistent woody stems.; vs Wyethia: Helianthus has smaller disk flowers and readily falling seed scales; Wyethia has very large 8-12mm disk flowers.; vs Rudbeckia: Helianthus has a flat or rounded yellow center; Rudbeckia has a tall dark cone-shaped center.; vs Venegasia: Helianthus dies back to ground level; Venegasia is a large evergreen shrub in shaded canyons.
Frequently asked questions
Is Helianthus niveus subsp. tephrodes native to California?
Yes. Helianthus niveus subsp. tephrodes is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Helianthus niveus subsp. tephrodes bloom?
Helianthus niveus subsp. tephrodes blooms Mar-May, Oct--Jan.
What plant family does Helianthus niveus subsp. tephrodes belong to?
Helianthus niveus subsp. tephrodes is in the Asteraceae family, genus Helianthus.
Is Helianthus niveus subsp. tephrodes rare or endangered?
Helianthus niveus subsp. tephrodes carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1.
What habitat does Helianthus niveus subsp. tephrodes grow in?
Helianthus niveus subsp. tephrodes grows in Sand dunes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · 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.