Hollisteria lanata
False spikeflower
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Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Hollisteria lanata (False spikeflower) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by Monotypic genus endemic to a small area of the southern San Joaquin Valley, representing a distinct evolutionary lineage in the….
False spikeflower is a California native annual found in southern San Joaquin Valley and southern Coastal Range Interior on sandy, clay, or gravelly sites at elevations of 10 to 1,000 meters. Flowering from March to July, this plant produces delicate yellow flowers tiny and tucked within narrow involucre bracts. Growing prostrate to decumbent with a spread of 30 to 80 centimeters, it has a soft, woolly (tomentose) texture across its stems and foliage. Its alternate leaves measure 1 to 5 centimeters long, featuring spiny-tipped blades covered in dense, soft hairs that give the plant a fuzzy appearance. The fruit is small, obconic, and transitions from brown to black when mature.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Monotypic genus endemic to a small area of the southern San Joaquin Valley, representing a distinct evolutionary lineage in the buckwheat family
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand, clay or gravel
Elevation: 10-1000 m
California counties: Kern, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Monterey, Fresno, Kings, Tulare, Merced, San Benito, Madera
Bloom period
Hollisteria lanata blooms Mar-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Lastarriaea: Hollisteria is densely woolly-hairy throughout; Lastarriaea lacks dense woolly covering.; vs Nemacaulis: Hollisteria has 3-4 spine-tipped bracts; Nemacaulis has many spine-less bracts creating cottony heads.; vs Johanneshowellia: Hollisteria has spine-tipped bracts; Johanneshowellia has spine-less bracts.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hollisteria lanata native to California?
Yes. Hollisteria lanata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Hollisteria lanata bloom?
Hollisteria lanata blooms Mar-Jul.
Where in California does Hollisteria lanata grow?
Hollisteria lanata occurs in Kern, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Monterey, Fresno, Kings, Tulare, Merced and other counties, at elevations of 10-1000 m.
What plant family does Hollisteria lanata belong to?
Hollisteria lanata is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Hollisteria.
What habitat does Hollisteria lanata grow in?
Hollisteria lanata grows in Sand, clay or gravel.
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.