Heterotheca oregona var. compacta
Compact oregon goldenaster
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Heterotheca oregona var. compacta (Compact oregon goldenaster) is a native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by rayless heads and compact branching pattern.
Compact oregon goldenaster is a California native perennial found in northwestern California, Cascade Range, northern Sierra Nevada foothills, northern Sierra Nevada, San Joaquin Valley, and central western California in seasonally dry streambeds at elevations of 200 to 1,000 meters. Flowering from July to October, this plant produces yellow flowers in dense clusters with distinctive lance-shaped phyllaries. Growing with densely branched stems 20 to 50 centimeters tall, it develops a compact, bushy appearance. Its branch leaves are long-soft-hairy with a distinctive gray-green coloration, appearing bristly and sparsely glandular. The plant's densely clustered stems and soft, gray-green foliage make it a notable goldenaster in seasonal streambed habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 9 species; distinguished by rayless heads and compact branching pattern
Habitat and range
Habitat: Seasonally dry streambeds
Elevation: 200-1000+ m
Bloom period
Heterotheca oregona var. compacta blooms Jul-Oct.
How to tell it apart
vs Grindelia: Heterotheca has multi-layered bracts; Grindelia bracts curve backward and flower buds are sticky-resinous.; vs Isocoma: Heterotheca has conspicuous yellow ray petals; Isocoma has only disk flowers (no rays).; vs Erigeron: Heterotheca rays are yellow and 3-12mm; Erigeron rays are white/purple/pink and typically numerous.; vs Laennecia: Heterotheca has showy 3-12mm yellow rays; Laennecia has tiny inconspicuous white rays.; vs Verbascum: Heterotheca has composite flower heads with bracts; Verbascum has simple 5-petaled flowers on tall spikes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Heterotheca oregona var. compacta native to California?
Yes. Heterotheca oregona var. compacta is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Heterotheca oregona var. compacta bloom?
Heterotheca oregona var. compacta blooms Jul-Oct.
What plant family does Heterotheca oregona var. compacta belong to?
Heterotheca oregona var. compacta is in the Asteraceae family, genus Heterotheca.
What habitat does Heterotheca oregona var. compacta grow in?
Heterotheca oregona var. compacta grows in Seasonally dry streambeds.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Heterotheca oregona var. oregona — Oregon false goldenaster
- Heterotheca oregona var. rudis — Oregon false goldenaster
- Heterotheca oregona var. scaberrima — Oregon false goldenaster
- Heterotheca sessiliflora — Sessileflower goldenaster
- Heterotheca sessiliflora subsp. bolanderi
- Heterotheca sessiliflora subsp. echioides
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.