Hymenoxys lemmonii
Alkali hymenoxys, Alkali Hymenoxys
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Hymenoxys lemmonii (Alkali hymenoxys) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by perennial habit and intermediate leaf lobe width.
Alkali hymenoxys is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native perennial found in eastern Klamath Ranges and Great Basin in roadsides, meadows, and stream banks at elevations of 800 to 3,200 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces yellow flowers in dense clusters of 10 to 85 heads with ray flowers 10 to 16 millimeters long. Growing 30 to 50 centimeters tall with stems that are purple-red toward the base and branching distally, it has a complex multi-branched caudex. Its leaves are 2 to 9 centimeters long, typically divided into 3 to 13 linear lobes with a terminal lobe 1.5 to 2.3 millimeters wide, appearing either entirely green or sparsely hairy. The fruit is 2.5 to 3.5 millimeters long with 5 to 6 small pappus scales.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; distinguished by perennial habit and intermediate leaf lobe width
Habitat and range
Habitat: Roadsides, open areas, meadows, slopes, drainage areas, stream banks
Elevation: 800-3200 m
Outside California: to southeastern Oregon, southern Idaho, Utah
Bloom period
Hymenoxys lemmonii blooms Jun-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Helenium: Helenium has simple entire or toothed leaves; Hymenoxys has deeply dissected thread-like segments.; vs Hulsea: Hulsea has simple entire to shallowly toothed leaves; Hymenoxys has deeply divided linear segments.; vs Helianthella: Helianthella has broad simple leaves; Hymenoxys has finely dissected thread-like foliage.; vs Arnica: Arnica has paired opposite simple leaves; Hymenoxys has alternate dissected leaves.; vs Eatonella: Eatonella has simple spoon-shaped leaves; Hymenoxys has dissected linear segments.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hymenoxys lemmonii native to California?
Yes. Hymenoxys lemmonii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Hymenoxys lemmonii bloom?
Hymenoxys lemmonii blooms Jun-Sep.
What plant family does Hymenoxys lemmonii belong to?
Hymenoxys lemmonii is in the Asteraceae family, genus Hymenoxys.
Is Hymenoxys lemmonii rare or endangered?
Hymenoxys lemmonii carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S2S3.
What habitat does Hymenoxys lemmonii grow in?
Hymenoxys lemmonii grows in Roadsides, open areas, meadows, slopes, drainage areas, stream banks.
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.