Malacothrix sonchoides
Sow thistle malacothrix
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Malacothrix sonchoides (Sow thistle malacothrix) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by distinctive spine-like teeth and bright yellow flowers.
Sow thistle malacothrix is a California native annual found in the eastern Sierra Nevada and Mojave Desert in sandy dune habitats and Joshua-tree woodlands at elevations below 1,400 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces bright yellow flowers with ligules extending 6 to 10 millimeters, arranged in open clusters. Growing with multiple ascending to erect stems up to 50 centimeters tall, it branches throughout and appears slightly glaucous. Its basal leaves form a spreading flat rosette with widely lobed margins featuring minute, soft spine-like teeth, while cauline leaves are fleshy with 3 to 8 pairs of oblong to triangular lobes. The plant produces small fruits 1.8 to 3 millimeters long with a scarious, rounded-toothed crown.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; distinctive spine-like teeth and bright yellow flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: On dunes or in deep, fine sandy soils in arroyos, plains in Joshua-tree woodland, grassland
Elevation: < 1400 m
Outside California: to Wyoming, New Mexico
Bloom period
Malacothrix sonchoides blooms Apr-Jun.
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 sonchoides native to California?
Yes. Malacothrix sonchoides is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Malacothrix sonchoides bloom?
Malacothrix sonchoides blooms Apr-Jun.
What plant family does Malacothrix sonchoides belong to?
Malacothrix sonchoides is in the Asteraceae family, genus Malacothrix.
What habitat does Malacothrix sonchoides grow in?
Malacothrix sonchoides grows in On dunes or in deep, fine sandy soils in arroyos, plains in Joshua-tree woodland, grassland.
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.