Hymenothrix dissecta
(c) Sam Kieschnick, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sam Kieschnick · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Hymenothrix dissecta is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by clearly distinguished by radiate vs discoid heads.
Hymenothrix dissecta is a California native perennial found in the Santa Rosa Mountains, eastern Peninsular Ranges, and New York Mountains in dry, open forest slopes at elevations of 1,800 to 2,650 meters. Flowering from August to October, this plant produces bright yellow ray flowers 5 to 10 millimeters long with numerous flower heads in radiate clusters. Growing 20 to 120 centimeters tall with openly branched stems that are glandular-hairy, it has a distinctive branching structure. Its leaves are intricately dissected into narrow linear segments 1 to 5 millimeters wide, with a strigose or short-spreading hairiness that gives the plant a textured appearance. The plant's flower heads feature 10 to 21 yellow ray flowers surrounding 30 to 80 disk flowers, creating a delicate and complex floral display.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; clearly distinguished by radiate vs discoid heads
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, open forest slopes
Elevation: 1800-2650 m
Outside California: to Wyoming, Colorado, Texas, northern Mexico
Bloom period
Hymenothrix dissecta blooms Aug-Oct.
How to tell it apart
vs Palafoxia: Palafoxia has all-green phyllaries without scarious margins; Hymenothrix has brown-purple papery-edged bracts.; vs Arnica: Arnica has opposite leaves and yellow ray flowers; Hymenothrix has alternate leaves and no ray flowers.; vs Trichoptilium: Trichoptilium has feathery pappus bristles; Hymenothrix has scales tipped with single bristles.; vs Chaenactis: Chaenactis has blunt pappus scales; Hymenothrix has bristle-tipped pappus scales.; vs Carlquistia: Carlquistia is a low cushion shrub; Hymenothrix is an upright herbaceous perennial.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hymenothrix dissecta native to California?
Yes. Hymenothrix dissecta is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Hymenothrix dissecta bloom?
Hymenothrix dissecta blooms Aug-Oct.
What plant family does Hymenothrix dissecta belong to?
Hymenothrix dissecta is in the Asteraceae family, genus Hymenothrix.
What habitat does Hymenothrix dissecta grow in?
Hymenothrix dissecta grows in Dry, open forest slopes.
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.