Kyhosia bolanderi
Bolander's madia
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Kyhosia bolanderi (Bolander's madia) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by Endemic genus - recently segregated from Madia, represents a distinct evolutionary lineage in California's tarweed complex.
Bolander's madia is a California native perennial herb found in the Klamath Ranges, northeastern California Mountains, and southern Sierra Nevada in meadows and streambank habitats at elevations of 1,000 to 2,600 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces bright yellow ray flowers with 8 to 12 rays, 7 to 13 millimeters long, in radiate heads. Growing 5 to 12 decimeters tall with an erect stem from a rhizome, it is strongly scented and has a distinctive growth habit. Its leaves range from basal to cauline, with proximal leaves opposite in a rosette and distal leaves alternate, lance-linear to linear, 5 to 35 centimeters long and coarse-hairy. The plant's dark purple anthers and glandular, hairy stems contribute to its unique botanical character.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Endemic genus - recently segregated from Madia, represents a distinct evolutionary lineage in California's tarweed complex
Habitat and range
Habitat: Meadows, streambanks
Elevation: 1000-2600 m
California counties: Plumas, Mariposa, Fresno, Del Norte, Humboldt, Lassen, Placer, Tehama, Trinity, Butte, El Dorado, Nevada, Sierra, Siskiyou, Tulare, Madera, Modoc, Alpine
Outside California: southern Oregon
Bloom period
Kyhosia bolanderi blooms Jul-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Madia: Kyhosia has dark purple anthers; Madia has yellow to brownish anthers.; vs Arnica: Kyhosia has bell-shaped heads with dark purple anthers; Arnica has broader heads with yellow anthers.; vs Anisocarpus: Kyhosia has dark purple anthers; Anisocarpus has yellow to brown anthers.; vs Harmonia: Kyhosia is perennial; Harmonia is annual.; vs Jensia: Kyhosia is perennial; Jensia is annual.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kyhosia bolanderi native to California?
Yes. Kyhosia bolanderi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Kyhosia bolanderi bloom?
Kyhosia bolanderi blooms Jul-Sep.
Where in California does Kyhosia bolanderi grow?
Kyhosia bolanderi occurs in Plumas, Mariposa, Fresno, Del Norte, Humboldt, Lassen, Placer, Tehama and other counties, at elevations of 1000-2600 m.
What plant family does Kyhosia bolanderi belong to?
Kyhosia bolanderi is in the Asteraceae family, genus Kyhosia.
What habitat does Kyhosia bolanderi grow in?
Kyhosia bolanderi grows in Meadows, streambanks.
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.