Heterotheca shevockii
Shevock's goldenaster
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Heterotheca shevockii (Shevock's goldenaster) is a native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by geographic restriction, large size, reflexed leaves with inrolled margins.
Shevock's goldenaster is a rare California native (CNPS 1B.3) perennial herb found in the southern Sierra Nevada Foothill region of Kern River Canyon in grassland, pine/oak woodland, and rocky crevices at elevations of 400 to 800 meters. Flowering from August to September, this plant produces bright yellow ray flowers 5 to 12 millimeters long in dense clusters with 5 to 20 flower heads. Growing 50 to 130 centimeters tall with ascending to erect stems that are sparsely bristly and become increasingly glandular toward the top, it develops a complex branching pattern in its flowering region. Its leaves vary from oblanceolate basal forms to lance-triangular mid-stem leaves that are often stiff, slightly reflexed, and marginally inrolled, with surfaces that are sparsely scabrous and increasingly glandular toward the stem tips. The flower heads feature 9 to 18 ray flowers and 30 to 80 disk flowers, creating a distinctive panicle-like cluster characteristic of this endemic goldenaster.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; distinguished by geographic restriction, large size, reflexed leaves with inrolled margins
Habitat and range
Habitat: Crevices, shallow sand, grassland, pine/oak woodland
Elevation: 400-800 m
California counties: Kern
Bloom period
Heterotheca shevockii blooms Aug-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
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 shevockii native to California?
Yes. Heterotheca shevockii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Heterotheca shevockii bloom?
Heterotheca shevockii blooms Aug-Sep.
Where in California does Heterotheca shevockii grow?
Heterotheca shevockii occurs in Kern, at elevations of 400-800 m.
What plant family does Heterotheca shevockii belong to?
Heterotheca shevockii is in the Asteraceae family, genus Heterotheca.
Is Heterotheca shevockii rare or endangered?
Heterotheca shevockii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S2.
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.