Micropus californicus var. subvestitus
Hairy slender cottonweed
Photo: parent species Micropus californicus · no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Micropus californicus var. subvestitus (Hairy slender cottonweed) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by smallest heads with silky-tomentose paleae, preference for serpentine soils.
Hairy slender cottonweed is a California native annual found in central Sierra Nevada Foothills and central western California in dry, shallow, exposed soils including serpentine areas at elevations of 50 to 1,100 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces small white flower heads approximately 3 to 4.5 millimeters in diameter with delicate silky-tomentose paleae. Growing with slender stems to roughly 20 centimeters tall, it forms compact clusters of tiny flower heads. Its leaves are small and narrow, typically clustered near the base of the plant with a pale green to grayish coloration. The fruit is minute, measuring 1.4 to 2.2 millimeters long with a subtle disk pappus.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; distinguished by smallest heads with silky-tomentose paleae, preference for serpentine soils
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, shallow, exposed soils (including serpentine)
Elevation: 50-1100 m
Bloom period
Micropus californicus var. subvestitus blooms Apr-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. subvestitus native to California?
Yes. Micropus californicus var. subvestitus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Micropus californicus var. subvestitus bloom?
Micropus californicus var. subvestitus blooms Apr-Jun.
What plant family does Micropus californicus var. subvestitus belong to?
Micropus californicus var. subvestitus is in the Asteraceae family, genus Micropus.
What habitat does Micropus californicus var. subvestitus grow in?
Micropus californicus var. subvestitus grows in Dry, shallow, exposed soils (including serpentine).
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.