Hulsea vestita subsp. inyoensis
Inyo hulsea, Inyo Hulsea
Photo: parent species Hulsea vestita · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Hulsea vestita subsp. inyoensis (Inyo hulsea) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by leaf shape and long petioles.
Inyo hulsea is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native perennial found in the northern Desert Mountains and eastern Sierra Nevada in open gravel and talus slopes of pinyon and juniper woodland at elevations of 1,700 to 3,000 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces bright yellow ray flowers 12 to 18 millimeters long with distinctive green-tipped phyllary bracts. Growing less than 70 centimeters tall, it forms compact plants with uniquely structured leaves where the leaf stalks are notably longer than the leaf blades themselves. Its basal leaves are distinctively lobed, abruptly tapered, and covered in dense woolly hair on the undersides, creating a soft, textured appearance. The plant's compact growth and yellow flowers make it a striking component of high desert and mountain slope environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; distinguished by leaf shape and long petioles
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open gravel, talus slopes, pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: 1700-3000 m
Outside California: western Nevada
Bloom period
Hulsea vestita subsp. inyoensis blooms Apr-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.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 vestita subsp. inyoensis native to California?
Yes. Hulsea vestita subsp. inyoensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Hulsea vestita subsp. inyoensis bloom?
Hulsea vestita subsp. inyoensis blooms Apr-Jun.
What plant family does Hulsea vestita subsp. inyoensis belong to?
Hulsea vestita subsp. inyoensis is in the Asteraceae family, genus Hulsea.
Is Hulsea vestita subsp. inyoensis rare or endangered?
Hulsea vestita subsp. inyoensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S1S2.
What habitat does Hulsea vestita subsp. inyoensis grow in?
Hulsea vestita subsp. inyoensis grows in Open gravel, talus slopes, pinyon/juniper woodland.
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.