Malacothrix californica
California dandelion
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Malacothrix californica (California dandelion) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by distinctive scapose habit with single heads.
California dandelion is a native annual herb found in southern Sierra Nevada foothills, San Joaquin Valley, central and western California, southwestern California, and desert regions in open, sandy habitats including coastal dunes, grasslands, oak woodlands, chaparral, and desert margins at elevations below 1,700 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces yellow to white flowers in solitary heads with ligules extending 11 to 13 millimeters long. Growing to 45 centimeters tall with a single short, unbranched stem that is generally not visible, it develops distinctive basal leaves that are linear to oblanceolate with conspicuously long hairs at the base. Its leaves have well-spaced linear to thread-like lobes, creating a delicate, airy appearance. The fruit is 2 to 3.4 millimeters long with irregular outer pappus teeth and two bristles.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 24 sympatric species; distinctive scapose habit with single heads
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, sandy soil in coastal dunes, grassland, oak woodland, chaparral, desert margins
Elevation: < 1700 m
Outside California: Mexico
Bloom period
Malacothrix californica blooms Mar-May.
How to tell it apart
vs Rafinesquia: Rafinesquia has persistent pappus that stays attached; Malacothrix pappus falls off easily when disturbed.; vs Pinaropappus: Pinaropappus pappus remains attached to seeds; Malacothrix pappus falls away easily.; vs Anisocoma: Anisocoma has scale-like pappus; Malacothrix has bristly pappus that falls off easily.; vs Calycoseris: Calycoseris leaves have glandular-sticky stems; Malacothrix lacks the sticky glandular feel.; vs Agoseris: Agoseris pappus stays firmly attached; Malacothrix pappus falls off at the slightest touch.
Frequently asked questions
Is Malacothrix californica native to California?
Yes. Malacothrix californica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Malacothrix californica bloom?
Malacothrix californica blooms Mar-May.
What plant family does Malacothrix californica belong to?
Malacothrix californica is in the Asteraceae family, genus Malacothrix.
What habitat does Malacothrix californica grow in?
Malacothrix californica grows in Open, sandy soil in coastal dunes, grassland, oak woodland, chaparral, desert margins.
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.