Hulsea nana
Little hulsea, Little Hulsea
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Hulsea nana (Little hulsea) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by no sympatric species; distinctive small size.
Little hulsea is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges near Mount Eddy, Cascade Range foothills, and North Coast Mountains in volcanic talus habitat at elevations of 2,400 to 3,000 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces bright yellow ray flowers in solitary heads 8 to 12 millimeters wide, with 12 to 30 ray flowers 8 to 12 millimeters long. Growing as a compact herb 5 to 15 centimeters tall, it has a woolly and sparsely glandular appearance with a low-growing form. Its basal leaves are 2 to 6 centimeters long, generally oblanceolate and lobed, with a few smaller cauline leaves higher on the stem. The plant produces fruits 6 to 8 millimeters long with small pappus scales approximately 1 to 2 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; no sympatric species; distinctive small size
Habitat and range
Habitat: Volcanic talus
Elevation: 2400-3000 m
Outside California: to Washington
Bloom period
Hulsea nana blooms Jun-Sep.
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 nana native to California?
Yes. Hulsea nana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Hulsea nana bloom?
Hulsea nana blooms Jun-Sep.
What plant family does Hulsea nana belong to?
Hulsea nana is in the Asteraceae family, genus Hulsea.
Is Hulsea nana rare or endangered?
Hulsea nana carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S3.
What habitat does Hulsea nana grow in?
Hulsea nana grows in Volcanic talus.
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.