Nemacaulis denudata var. denudata
Coast woolly-heads
Photo: parent species Nemacaulis denudata · (c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Nemacaulis denudata var. denudata (Coast woolly-heads) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by One sympatric species; clear habitat and morphological differences.
Coast woolly-heads is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in southern Central and Southern Coast bioregions on coastal beaches at elevations below 100 meters. Flowering from March to August, this plant produces white flowers nestled in dark red branching inflorescences with hairy clusters. Growing as a small, sprawling plant 4 to 20 centimeters tall with a wide spread of up to 80 centimeters, it forms delicate, intricate ground-covering patterns. Its leaves are relatively narrow, with blades 2 to 8 centimeters long and 3 to 15 millimeters wide, creating a soft, wispy appearance across sandy coastal terrain.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: One sympatric species; clear habitat and morphological differences
Habitat and range
Habitat: Beaches
Elevation: < 100 m
California counties: Orange, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Riverside, Marin
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Nemacaulis denudata var. denudata blooms Mar-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Lastarriaea: Nemacaulis has many spine-less bracts creating cottony heads; Lastarriaea has only 3 spine-tipped bracts.; vs Hollisteria: Nemacaulis has many spine-less bracts; Hollisteria has 3-4 spine-tipped bracts.; vs Johanneshowellia: Nemacaulis has many bracts creating cottony flower heads; Johanneshowellia has 4-7 bracts without the cottony appearance.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nemacaulis denudata var. denudata native to California?
Yes. Nemacaulis denudata var. denudata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Nemacaulis denudata var. denudata bloom?
Nemacaulis denudata var. denudata blooms Mar-Aug.
Where in California does Nemacaulis denudata var. denudata grow?
Nemacaulis denudata var. denudata occurs in Orange, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Riverside, Marin, at elevations of < 100 m.
What plant family does Nemacaulis denudata var. denudata belong to?
Nemacaulis denudata var. denudata is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Nemacaulis.
Is Nemacaulis denudata var. denudata rare or endangered?
Nemacaulis denudata var. denudata carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-08
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.