Hymenopappus filifolius var. lugens
Columbia cutleaf
Photo: parent species Hymenopappus filifolius · no rights reserved, uploaded by Robbie Hannawacker · CC0
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Hymenopappus filifolius var. lugens (Columbia cutleaf) is a native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by flower color, leaf segment width and shape, and pubescence pattern.
Columbia cutleaf is a California native perennial found in the Transverse and Peninsular Ranges in chaparral, pinyon and juniper woodland, and conifer forest at elevations of 1,300 to 2,700 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces yellow flowers in heads 3 to 8, with each flower cluster 4 to 6 millimeters long. Growing 20 to 60 centimeters tall with densely gray-tomentose stems that can become nearly glabrous, it has a distinctive growth habit with woolly stem axils. Its basal leaves are finely divided, with linear segments 3 to 15 millimeters long and 1 to 3 millimeters wide, creating a delicate, feathery appearance. The fruit is 4 to 6 millimeters long, evenly covered with hairs approximately 1 to 1.5 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; key features are flower color, leaf segment width and shape, and pubescence pattern
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, pinyon/juniper woodland, conifer forest
Elevation: 1300-2700 m
Outside California: to southern Utah, Arizona, Baja California
Bloom period
Hymenopappus filifolius var. lugens blooms May-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Chaenactis: Hymenopappus is perennial with 12-22 seed scales; Chaenactis is typically annual with fewer seed scales.; vs Pseudognaphalium: Hymenopappus has finely divided leaves and papery flower bracts; Pseudognaphalium has simple, woolly-white leaves.; vs Trichoptilium: Hymenopappus has 12-22 blunt seed scales; Trichoptilium has feathery bristles instead of scales.; vs Carlquistia: Hymenopappus is perennial with papery flower bracts; Carlquistia is a small alpine cushion plant.; vs Raillardella: Hymenopappus has finely divided feathery leaves; Raillardella has simple, undivided leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hymenopappus filifolius var. lugens native to California?
Yes. Hymenopappus filifolius var. lugens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Hymenopappus filifolius var. lugens bloom?
Hymenopappus filifolius var. lugens blooms May-Sep.
What plant family does Hymenopappus filifolius var. lugens belong to?
Hymenopappus filifolius var. lugens is in the Asteraceae family, genus Hymenopappus.
What habitat does Hymenopappus filifolius var. lugens grow in?
Hymenopappus filifolius var. lugens grows in Chaparral, pinyon/juniper woodland, conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.