Hulsea californica
San diego sunflower, San Diego Sunflower
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Hulsea californica (San diego sunflower) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by biennial habit and large flower heads.
San diego sunflower is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native biennial found in southern Peninsular Ranges, specifically in Laguna and Cuyamaca Mountains, on open sites at elevations of 1,000 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces bright yellow ray flowers in heads 15 to 26 millimeters wide with 22 to 40 distinctive yellow petals. Growing 40 to 120 centimeters tall with somewhat woolly and glandular stems, the plant has a robust and striking appearance. Its leaves are largest at the base, measuring 6 to 10 centimeters long and becoming progressively smaller toward the stem tips, with entire margins. The fruit is 4 to 6 millimeters long and covered in silky hairs, giving the plant a soft, textured appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; distinguished by biennial habit and large flower heads
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open sites
Elevation: 1000-2000 m
Bloom period
Hulsea californica blooms May-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
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 californica native to California?
Yes. Hulsea californica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Hulsea californica bloom?
Hulsea californica blooms May-Aug.
What plant family does Hulsea californica belong to?
Hulsea californica is in the Asteraceae family, genus Hulsea.
Is Hulsea californica rare or endangered?
Hulsea californica carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S3.
What habitat does Hulsea californica grow in?
Hulsea californica grows in Open sites.
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.