Hymenothrix wrightii
Wright's hymenothrix, Wright's Hymenothrix
(c) Rachel Stringham, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Rachel Stringham · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Hymenothrix wrightii (Wright's hymenothrix) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by white/purple corollas, dark anthers, and geographic restriction.
Wright's hymenothrix is a California native perennial found in the southern Peninsular Ranges, including Palomar, Cuyamaca, and Laguna Mountains, on open slopes at elevations of 1,100 to 1,700 meters. Flowering from August to October, this plant produces white to purple-tinged flowers in small disc-like heads with dark purple anthers. Growing up to 1.5 meters tall with openly branched stems that are glandular-hairy, especially toward the top, it has a distinctive appearance. Its leaves are densely crowded on the lower stem, intricately dissected into narrow segments less than 1 millimeter wide, with margins rolled underneath. The plant produces small fruits 3 to 6 millimeters long, with delicate scale-like bracts scattered along its branching stems.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; distinguished by white/purple corollas, dark anthers, and geographic restriction
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open slopes
Elevation: 1100-1700 m
Outside California: to New Mexico, northern Mexico
Bloom period
Hymenothrix wrightii blooms Aug-Oct.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 wrightii native to California?
Yes. Hymenothrix wrightii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Hymenothrix wrightii bloom?
Hymenothrix wrightii blooms Aug-Oct.
What plant family does Hymenothrix wrightii belong to?
Hymenothrix wrightii is in the Asteraceae family, genus Hymenothrix.
Is Hymenothrix wrightii rare or endangered?
Hymenothrix wrightii carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3.
What habitat does Hymenothrix wrightii grow in?
Hymenothrix wrightii grows in Open slopes.
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.