Micropus californicus var. californicus
Cottontop, Cottontop
Photo: parent species Micropus californicus · no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Micropus californicus var. californicus (Cottontop) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by larger heads with woolly paleae, harp-shaped paleae that wither.
Cottontop is a California native annual found in California Floristic Province (except eastern Sierra Nevada and San Jacinto Mountains) in clearings and often disturbed dry or seasonally moist soils at elevations of 10 to 1,600 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces small white flower heads approximately 3 to 4 millimeters long with woolly paleae. Growing with delicate stems typically low to the ground, the plant develops compact clusters of tiny flower heads. Its leaves are small and relatively inconspicuous, characteristic of its adaptation to dry, open habitats. The fruit is compact, measuring 1.8 to 2.6 millimeters long with a minimal disk pappus.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; distinguished by larger heads with woolly paleae, harp-shaped paleae that wither
Habitat and range
Habitat: Clearings, often disturbed, dry or seasonally moist soils
Elevation: 10-1600 m
Outside California: western Oregon, northwestern Baja California
Bloom period
Micropus californicus var. californicus blooms Mar-Jun.
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 var. californicus native to California?
Yes. Micropus californicus var. californicus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Micropus californicus var. californicus bloom?
Micropus californicus var. californicus blooms Mar-Jun.
What plant family does Micropus californicus var. californicus belong to?
Micropus californicus var. californicus is in the Asteraceae family, genus Micropus.
What habitat does Micropus californicus var. californicus grow in?
Micropus californicus var. californicus grows in Clearings, often disturbed, dry or seasonally moist soils.
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.