Heterotheca oregona var. rudis
Oregon false goldenaster
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Heterotheca oregona var. rudis (Oregon false goldenaster) is a native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by small bristly leaves and green appearance.
Oregon false goldenaster is a California native perennial found in northwestern California, northern Sierra Nevada foothills, northern Sacramento Valley, 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, loosely arranged clusters. Growing with sparsely branched stems up to 13 centimeters tall, it has a distinctive appearance with green stems that are generally loosely branched. Its leaves are small, less than 13 millimeters long and under 3 millimeters wide, densely covered with short bristly hairs and appearing green. The outer phyllaries of its flower heads are lanceolate, contributing to its delicate botanical structure.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 9 species; distinguished by small bristly leaves and green appearance
Habitat and range
Habitat: Seasonally dry streambeds
Elevation: < 500 m
Bloom period
Heterotheca oregona var. rudis 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. rudis native to California?
Yes. Heterotheca oregona var. rudis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Heterotheca oregona var. rudis bloom?
Heterotheca oregona var. rudis blooms Jul-Oct.
What plant family does Heterotheca oregona var. rudis belong to?
Heterotheca oregona var. rudis is in the Asteraceae family, genus Heterotheca.
What habitat does Heterotheca oregona var. rudis grow in?
Heterotheca oregona var. rudis grows in Seasonally dry streambeds.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Heterotheca oregona var. scaberrima — Oregon false goldenaster
- Heterotheca sessiliflora — Sessileflower goldenaster
- Heterotheca sessiliflora subsp. bolanderi
- Heterotheca sessiliflora subsp. echioides
- Heterotheca sessiliflora subsp. fastigiata
- Heterotheca sessiliflora subsp. sessiliflora — Beach goldenaster
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.