Oreocarya glomerata
Cocks-comb cat's-eye
(c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Oreocarya glomerata (Cocks-comb cat's-eye) is a native California perennial in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by volcanic scree habitat diagnostic.
Cocks-comb cat's-eye is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native perennial found in volcanic landscapes at elevations of 1,550 to 1,920 meters on barren volcanic scree and talus slopes. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces white to off-white flowers with yellow appendages in dense, generally cylindric clusters. Growing 15 to 50 centimeters tall with multiple spreading stems that are densely covered in stiff, appressed bristles, particularly on the lower half of the plant. Its distinctive leaves include wide-spoon-shaped basal leaves that are thick, gray-green, and covered in dense, appressed bristles, with upper stem leaves becoming more elongated and sharp-bristly. The small nutlets are ovate, approximately 3.3 to 3.8 millimeters long, with irregular surface texturing and a narrow marginal rim.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; volcanic scree habitat diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Barren volcanic scree, talus slopes
Elevation: 1550-1920 m
Outside California: to eastern Washington, Montana, to Canada, northern Great Plains
Bloom period
Oreocarya glomerata blooms Jun-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.3
How to tell it apart
vs Cryptantha: Cryptanthas are slender annuals with tiny inconspicuous white flowers; Oreocarya are stout perennials from a woody branched caudex with showier, densely clustered white or yellow flowers.; vs Hackelia: Stickseed nutlets bear hooked marginal prickles that cling to clothing; Oreocarya nutlets are smooth to roughened but lack hooked prickles.; vs Plagiobothrys: Popcornflowers are annuals of moist ground, often red-staining, in open coils; Oreocarya are harsh, bristly perennials forming cushions on dry rocky or desert sites.; vs Cynoglossum: Hound's-tongue is a tall, leafy-stemmed biennial with broad soft leaves and reddish-blue flowers; Oreocarya is low and cushion-like with narrow bristly leaves and white or yellow flowers.; vs Cryptantha: Beyond size, Oreocarya has persistent basal rosettes and a woody caudex, whereas Cryptantha germinates fresh each year with no woody base.
Frequently asked questions
Is Oreocarya glomerata native to California?
Yes. Oreocarya glomerata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Oreocarya glomerata bloom?
Oreocarya glomerata blooms Jun-Aug.
What plant family does Oreocarya glomerata belong to?
Oreocarya glomerata is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Oreocarya.
Is Oreocarya glomerata rare or endangered?
Oreocarya glomerata carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S1.
What habitat does Oreocarya glomerata grow in?
Oreocarya glomerata grows in Barren volcanic scree, talus slopes.
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 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.