Hulsea mexicana
Mexican hulsea, Mexican Hulsea
(c) Alan Rockefeller, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Hulsea mexicana (Mexican hulsea) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by no sympatric species; limited distribution data.
Mexican hulsea is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native annual found in southeastern San Diego County in burned or disturbed sites at elevations around 1,200 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces bright yellow ray flowers with broader rays 3 to 5 millimeters wide, arranged in small clusters of 3 to 5 flower heads. Growing up to 1 meter tall with soft, glandular and hairy stems, the plant develops progressively smaller leaves along its height. Its basal leaves are 5 to 15 centimeters long with coarse teeth, becoming smaller and less pronounced toward the stem's upper portions. The plant's flower heads are hemispheric, measuring 15 to 27 millimeters in diameter with lance-linear phyllaries that are narrowly pointed at the tips.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; no sympatric species; limited distribution data
Habitat and range
Habitat: Burns, disturbed sites
Elevation: 1200 m
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Hulsea mexicana blooms Apr-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.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 mexicana native to California?
Yes. Hulsea mexicana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Hulsea mexicana bloom?
Hulsea mexicana blooms Apr-May.
What plant family does Hulsea mexicana belong to?
Hulsea mexicana is in the Asteraceae family, genus Hulsea.
Is Hulsea mexicana rare or endangered?
Hulsea mexicana carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S1.
What habitat does Hulsea mexicana grow in?
Hulsea mexicana grows in Burns, disturbed 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.