Micropus californicus
Q-tips, Q-Tips
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Micropus californicus (Q-tips) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by Depressed heads; ~4-7 hood-like fruiting paleae in 1 series (profile like a harp / inverted 'Q').
Q-tips is a California native annual found in open grasslands and dry meadows across the state. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces white to cream-colored flower heads with distinctive paleae that resemble small, hooked Q-tips. Growing with slender stems 5 to 50 centimeters tall, it forms delicate, low-growing clusters across its habitat. Its leaves are small and narrow, typically arranged alternately along the stems. The tiny flower heads feature unique paleae that curl upward, creating a distinctive hook-like silhouette that gives the plant its common name.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Depressed heads; ~4-7 hood-like fruiting paleae in 1 series (profile like a harp / inverted 'Q')
How to tell it apart
vs Plantago: Micropus has composite flower heads with papery bracts; Plantago has simple flowers on leafless spikes.; vs Logfia: Micropus has 4-6 prominent petal-like outer bracts; Logfia has mushroom-shaped heads without showy bracts.; vs Cryptantha: Micropus is in Asteraceae with composite heads; Cryptantha is in Boraginaceae with 5-petaled flowers.; vs Stylocline: Micropus has prominent spoon-shaped outer bracts; Stylocline has tiny heads hidden among dense leaves.; vs Pseudognaphalium: Micropus has distinctive petal-like outer bracts; Pseudognaphalium has uniform overlapping papery bracts.
Frequently asked questions
Is Micropus californicus native to California?
Yes. Micropus californicus is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Micropus californicus belong to?
Micropus californicus is in the Asteraceae family, genus Micropus.
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.