Malacothrix foliosa
Leafy desertdandelion
(c) Adam J. Searcy, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Malacothrix foliosa (Leafy desertdandelion) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family.
Leafy desertdandelion is a California native annual found in arid regions with open, disturbed habitats at moderate elevations. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces pale to medium yellow flowers with ray florets extending 1.5 to 10 millimeters beyond the involucre in delicate clusters. Growing with decumbent to ascending stems up to 45 centimeters tall, often distinctively red-tinged and branching variably, it presents an open, somewhat sprawling form. Its leaves are primarily basal and cauline, featuring oblanceolate to obovate blades with toothed or lobed margins, the leaf tips ranging from wide-acute to acuminate. The plant's inflorescence is characterized by numerous heads with red-tinged involucres 5 to 12 millimeters long, creating an airy, open flowering structure.
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 foliosa native to California?
Yes. Malacothrix foliosa is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Malacothrix foliosa belong to?
Malacothrix foliosa is in the Asteraceae family, genus Malacothrix.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Malacothrix foliosa subsp. crispifolia — Wavy-leaved malacothrix
- Malacothrix foliosa subsp. foliosa — Leafy malacothrix
- Malacothrix foliosa subsp. philbrickii — Philbrick's malacothrix
- Malacothrix foliosa subsp. polycephala — Many-headed malacothrix
- Malacothrix glabrata — Desert dandelion
- Malacothrix incana — Dunedelion
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.