Ivesia argyrocoma var. argyrocoma
Silver-haired ivesia
Family: Rosaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Ivesia argyrocoma var. argyrocoma (Silver-haired ivesia) is a native California perennial in the Rosaceae family, recognized by unique flattened filaments diagnostic.
Silver-haired ivesia is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in the San Bernardino Mountains in pebble plains at elevations of 1,450 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces white flowers approximately 10 millimeters wide in small, loose clusters. Growing with decumbent stems 10 to 20 centimeters long, it forms dense, silvery-hairy rosettes with a simple caudex. Its finely divided leaves feature 25 to 35 leaflets on each side, with tiny lobes 2 to 3 millimeters long that are elliptic to obovate in shape. The plant's distinctive silvery-hairy appearance and tightly clustered white flowers make it a delicate and eye-catching addition to its high-elevation habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; unique flattened filaments diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Pebble plains
Elevation: 1450-2300 m
California counties: San Bernardino
Bloom period
Ivesia argyrocoma var. argyrocoma blooms Apr-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Achillea: Ivesia has rose-like flowers with separate petals; Achillea has composite flower heads with ray and disk flowers.; vs Potentilla: Ivesia has cylindrical bottlebrush leaves with 4-80 tiny leaflets per side; Potentilla has flat leaves with spread-out leaflets.; vs Horkelia: Ivesia has cylindrical leaves with overlapping leaflets; Horkelia has flat leaves with 2-15 distinct, separated leaflets.; vs Eremogone: Ivesia has compound bottlebrush leaves; Eremogone has simple, needle-like or thread-like leaves.; vs Cryptantha: Ivesia has rose-family flowers with separate petals; Cryptantha has fused tubular corollas typical of borages.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ivesia argyrocoma var. argyrocoma native to California?
Yes. Ivesia argyrocoma var. argyrocoma is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ivesia argyrocoma var. argyrocoma bloom?
Ivesia argyrocoma var. argyrocoma blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Ivesia argyrocoma var. argyrocoma grow?
Ivesia argyrocoma var. argyrocoma occurs in San Bernardino, at elevations of 1450-2300 m.
What plant family does Ivesia argyrocoma var. argyrocoma belong to?
Ivesia argyrocoma var. argyrocoma is in the Rosaceae family, genus Ivesia.
Is Ivesia argyrocoma var. argyrocoma rare or endangered?
Ivesia argyrocoma var. argyrocoma carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
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 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.