Heterotheca oregona var. oregona
Oregon false goldenaster
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Heterotheca oregona var. oregona (Oregon false goldenaster) is a native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by branching pattern and leaf characteristics.
Oregon false goldenaster is a California native perennial found in northwestern and central western California in seasonally dry streambeds at elevations below 500 meters. Flowering from July to October, this plant produces yellow flowers in open inflorescences with distinctive lance-deltate outer phyllaries. Growing with somewhat sparsely branched stems that extend upward from the middle, it reaches a moderate height with slender, glandular branches. Its leaves on branch tips are over 13 millimeters long, more than 3 millimeters wide, and feature sparse hairs with dense glandular surfaces. The plant's open, sprawling growth habit and yellow flower clusters make it a distinctive component of seasonal streambed ecosystems.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 7 species; distinguished by branching pattern and leaf characteristics
Habitat and range
Habitat: Seasonally dry streambeds
Elevation: < 500 m
Outside California: to Washington
Bloom period
Heterotheca oregona var. oregona 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. oregona native to California?
Yes. Heterotheca oregona var. oregona is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Heterotheca oregona var. oregona bloom?
Heterotheca oregona var. oregona blooms Jul-Oct.
What plant family does Heterotheca oregona var. oregona belong to?
Heterotheca oregona var. oregona is in the Asteraceae family, genus Heterotheca.
What habitat does Heterotheca oregona var. oregona grow in?
Heterotheca oregona var. oregona grows in Seasonally dry streambeds.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.