Hulsea brevifolia
Shortleaved hulsea
(c) Chris Winchell, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Hulsea brevifolia (Shortleaved hulsea) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by no sympatric species.
Shortleaved hulsea is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in central Sierra Nevada Mountains in montane forest with gravelly soils at elevations of 1,500 to 2,700 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces bright yellow ray flowers with 10 to 23 rays, each 2 to 4 millimeters wide, in heads 10 to 16 millimeters across. Growing 30 to 60 centimeters tall with glandular-hairy stems that become slightly smaller toward the top, it develops a distinctive growth pattern. Its basal leaves are 5 to 6 centimeters long with coarse teeth, gradually transitioning to smaller cauline leaves up the stem. The fruit is 6 to 8 millimeters long with sparse hairs and unequal pappus scales tinged with red.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; no sympatric species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Gravelly soils, montane forest
Elevation: 1500-2700 m
Bloom period
Hulsea brevifolia blooms Jun-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Bahiopsis: Hulsea leaves are never woody-based shrubs like Bahiopsis; check if plant is herbaceous and high-elevation.; vs Encelia: Hulsea is sticky-glandular throughout; Encelia has dry, often silvery leaves without glandular hairs.; vs Heterotheca: Hulsea has exactly 4 seed scales in unequal pairs; Heterotheca has numerous bristly pappus.; vs Gaillardia: Hulsea leaves are entire to shallowly lobed; Gaillardia has deeply divided, dissected leaves.; vs Hymenoxys: Hulsea leaves are entire to shallowly lobed; Hymenoxys has deeply dissected, feathery leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hulsea brevifolia native to California?
Yes. Hulsea brevifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Hulsea brevifolia bloom?
Hulsea brevifolia blooms Jun-Aug.
What plant family does Hulsea brevifolia belong to?
Hulsea brevifolia is in the Asteraceae family, genus Hulsea.
Is Hulsea brevifolia rare or endangered?
Hulsea brevifolia carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S3.
What habitat does Hulsea brevifolia grow in?
Hulsea brevifolia grows in Gravelly soils, montane forest.
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.