Malacothrix torreyi
Torrey's desertdandelion
(c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Malacothrix torreyi (Torrey's desertdandelion) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by tack-shaped hairs and winged fruits.
Torrey's desertdandelion is a California native annual found in the Great Basin and northern Mojave Desert in coarse soils, dry sagebrush slopes, juniper grassland, and desert scrub at elevations of 1,500 to 1,800 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces medium yellow flowers with ligules extending 7 to 10 millimeters, creating delicate, open clusters. Growing up to 25 centimeters tall with 1 to 5 erect to ascending stems that are sparsely branched and lightly glaucous, it has a distinctive appearance with tack-shaped hairs. Its basal leaves are fleshy with 2 to 6 pairs of short-toothed lobes, while cauline leaves are obovate to oblong with 3 to 8 pairs of triangular to linear lobes. The fruit features prominent wing-like ribs extending beyond its tip, giving this desert annual a unique structural character.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; tack-shaped hairs and winged fruits
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coarse soils, dry sagebrush slopes, juniper grassland, desert scrub
Elevation: 1500-1800 m
Outside California: to Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona
Bloom period
Malacothrix torreyi blooms Apr-Jul.
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 torreyi native to California?
Yes. Malacothrix torreyi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Malacothrix torreyi bloom?
Malacothrix torreyi blooms Apr-Jul.
What plant family does Malacothrix torreyi belong to?
Malacothrix torreyi is in the Asteraceae family, genus Malacothrix.
What habitat does Malacothrix torreyi grow in?
Malacothrix torreyi grows in Coarse soils, dry sagebrush slopes, juniper grassland, desert scrub.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Malacothrix californica — California dandelion
- Malacothrix clevelandii — Cleveland's dandelion
- Malacothrix coulteri — Snake's-head
- Malacothrix floccifera — Woolly dandelion
- Malacothrix foliosa — Leafy desertdandelion
- Malacothrix foliosa subsp. crispifolia — Wavy-leaved malacothrix
- Malperia sp.
- Malperia tenuis — Brown turbans
- Matricaria chamomilla — German chamomile
- Matricaria discoidea — Pineapple weed
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.