Malacothrix stebbinsii
Stebbins' dandelion
(c) Sue Carnahan, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Malacothrix stebbinsii (Stebbins' dandelion) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by small pale flowers and gravelly habitat.
Stebbins' dandelion is a California native annual found in the eastern Sierra Nevada and desert regions in gravelly soils on flats, gullies, and streambeds at elevations of 300 to 1,300 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces white to pale yellow flowers with ligules extending 1 to 2 millimeters beyond the involucre in open clusters. Growing up to 60 centimeters tall with 1 to 5 nearly erect stems that branch toward the top, it develops a distinctive growth pattern with progressively reduced leaves. Its basal leaves are obovate with 3 to 5 pairs of lobes, while cauline leaves become smaller and less complex toward the stem's upper portions. The fruit is small, measuring 1.7 to 2.3 millimeters long with nearly equal ribs and sparse outer pappus.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; small pale flowers and gravelly habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Gravelly soils on flats, gullies, streambeds, streambanks
Elevation: 300-1300 m
Outside California: Nevada, Arizona
Bloom period
Malacothrix stebbinsii 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 stebbinsii native to California?
Yes. Malacothrix stebbinsii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Malacothrix stebbinsii bloom?
Malacothrix stebbinsii blooms Mar-May.
What plant family does Malacothrix stebbinsii belong to?
Malacothrix stebbinsii is in the Asteraceae family, genus Malacothrix.
What habitat does Malacothrix stebbinsii grow in?
Malacothrix stebbinsii grows in Gravelly soils on flats, gullies, streambeds, streambanks.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Malacothrix torreyi — Torrey's desertdandelion
- Malacothrix californica — California dandelion
- Malacothrix clevelandii — Cleveland's dandelion
- Malacothrix coulteri — Snake's-head
- Malacothrix floccifera — Woolly dandelion
- Malacothrix foliosa — Leafy desertdandelion
- Malperia sp.
- Malperia tenuis — Brown turbans
- Matricaria chamomilla — German chamomile
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.