Hulsea vestita subsp. parryi
Parry's sunflower, Parry's Sunflower
Photo: parent species Hulsea vestita · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Hulsea vestita subsp. parryi (Parry's sunflower) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by deeply lobed leaves and orange-red rays.
Parry's sunflower is a native perennial found in the eastern San Gabriel Mountains, San Bernardino Mountains, and southwestern desert mountains of the Little San Bernardino Mountains in open gravel and talus slopes ranging from sagebrush to fir forest at elevations of 2,000 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces striking orange to reddish ray flowers 5 to 7 millimeters long with distinctive red-tinged green bracts. Growing 20 to 60 centimeters tall with an upright habit, it develops a robust and somewhat woolly stem structure. Its basal leaves are deeply lobed, with petioles typically longer than the leaf blade, appearing green and becoming woolly and glandular on the undersurface. The plant's intricate inflorescence features ray flowers arranged in compact heads, creating a vibrant display against its rocky mountain habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; distinguished by deeply lobed leaves and orange-red rays
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open gravel, talus slopes, sagebrush to fir forest
Elevation: 2000-2500 m
Bloom period
Hulsea vestita subsp. parryi blooms May-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 vestita subsp. parryi native to California?
Yes. Hulsea vestita subsp. parryi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Hulsea vestita subsp. parryi bloom?
Hulsea vestita subsp. parryi blooms May-Aug.
What plant family does Hulsea vestita subsp. parryi belong to?
Hulsea vestita subsp. parryi is in the Asteraceae family, genus Hulsea.
Is Hulsea vestita subsp. parryi rare or endangered?
Hulsea vestita subsp. parryi carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
What habitat does Hulsea vestita subsp. parryi grow in?
Hulsea vestita subsp. parryi grows in Open gravel, talus slopes, sagebrush to fir forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Hulsea vestita subsp. pygmaea — Pygmy hulsea
- Hulsea vestita subsp. vestita
- Hulsea algida — High mountain hulsea
- Hulsea brevifolia — Shortleaved hulsea
- Hulsea californica — San diego sunflower
- Hulsea heterochroma — Red rayed hulsea
- Hymenopappus filifolius — Columbia cutleaf
- Hymenopappus filifolius var. eriopodus — Hairy-podded fine-leaf hymenopappus
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.