Malacothrix phaeocarpa
Dusky-fruited malacothrix, Dusky-Fruited Malacothrix
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Malacothrix phaeocarpa (Dusky-fruited malacothrix) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by white flowers and specialized shale habitat.
Dusky-fruited malacothrix is a California native annual herb found in San Francisco Bay, south coastal ranges, and western Transverse Ranges in diatomaceous shale slides, chaparral openings, and Bishop-pine forests at elevations of 100 to 1,300 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces white flowers in loose clusters with ligules extending one to three millimeters beyond the involucre. Growing with spreading to ascending stems up to 44 centimeters tall, it branches extensively throughout its slender structure. Its basal leaves are fleshy with wide, obtuse lobes, while lower stem leaves have 3 to 8 pairs of nearly equal lobes with white hair tufts at the base. The fruit is distinctive with nearly equal ribs and a scarious, rounded-toothed crown.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; white flowers and specialized shale habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Diatomaceous shale of slides, burns, openings in chaparral, Bishop-pine/Douglas fir forest
Elevation: 100-1300 m
Bloom period
Malacothrix phaeocarpa blooms Apr-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 phaeocarpa native to California?
Yes. Malacothrix phaeocarpa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Malacothrix phaeocarpa bloom?
Malacothrix phaeocarpa blooms Apr-Jun.
What plant family does Malacothrix phaeocarpa belong to?
Malacothrix phaeocarpa is in the Asteraceae family, genus Malacothrix.
Is Malacothrix phaeocarpa rare or endangered?
Malacothrix phaeocarpa carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3.
What habitat does Malacothrix phaeocarpa grow in?
Malacothrix phaeocarpa grows in Diatomaceous shale of slides, burns, openings in chaparral, Bishop-pine/Douglas fir forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Malacothrix saxatilis var. tenuifolia — Cliff desertdandelion
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.