Malacothrix junakii
Junak's malacothrix
(c) Steve Berardi, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Malacothrix junakii (Junak's malacothrix) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by on Channel Islands; leafy stems and acute leaf lobes.
Junak's malacothrix is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in the northern Channel Islands on Middle Anacapa Island in shallow ocean bluff habitats at elevations below 30 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces medium yellow flowers in open cluster-like inflorescences with ligules extending 3.5 to 5.5 millimeters. Growing with ascending to erect stems up to 30 centimeters tall, it branches from the base with glabrous, leafy stems. Its distinctive leaves include oblanceolate basal leaves with 2 to 4 pairs of lobes and distal leaves with 2 to 3 teeth or short acute lobes. The fruit is small, approximately 1.6 to 2 millimeters long with nearly equal ribs and minute irregular teeth.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 15 sympatric species on Channel Islands; leafy stems and acute leaf lobes
Habitat and range
Habitat: Shallow soils of ocean bluffs, open rocky areas
Elevation: < 30 m
Bloom period
Malacothrix junakii blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 junakii native to California?
Yes. Malacothrix junakii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Malacothrix junakii bloom?
Malacothrix junakii blooms May-Jun.
What plant family does Malacothrix junakii belong to?
Malacothrix junakii is in the Asteraceae family, genus Malacothrix.
Is Malacothrix junakii rare or endangered?
Malacothrix junakii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Malacothrix junakii grow in?
Malacothrix junakii grows in Shallow soils of ocean bluffs, open rocky areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Malacothrix phaeocarpa — Dusky-fruited malacothrix
- Malacothrix saxatilis — Cliff aster
- Malacothrix saxatilis var. arachnoidea — Carmel valley malacothrix
- Malacothrix saxatilis var. commutata — Cliff desertdandelion
- Malacothrix saxatilis var. implicata — Cliff aster
- Malacothrix saxatilis var. saxatilis — Cliff malacothrix
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.