Pallenis maritima
Gold coin, Gold Coin
(c) Roland Godon, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Roland Godon · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Not Native
Pallenis maritima (Gold coin) is a non-native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by Mediterranean introduction successful in similar coastal habitats.
Gold coin is a naturalized perennial found in southern California coastal areas on rocky shores and sea bluffs at elevations up to 5 meters. Flowering from February to June, this plant produces bright yellow daisy-like flowers in large heads 3 to 4 centimeters in diameter with 15 to 30 ray flowers. Growing with mounded stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall and covered in long, soft, spreading hairs, it has a distinctive growth habit. Its leaves are oblanceolate or spoon-shaped, 2 to 5 centimeters long, with rounded tips that taper to the base. The fruit is small, approximately 1.5 millimeters long and densely covered in ascending hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Mediterranean introduction successful in similar coastal habitats
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky shores, sea bluffs, escaped from cultivation
Elevation: <= 5 m
Outside California: Mediterranean region
Bloom period
Pallenis maritima blooms Feb-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Wyethia: Pallenis has many stem leaves densely packed; Wyethia has only a few scattered stem leaves.; vs Balsamorhiza: Pallenis stems are leafy throughout; Balsamorhiza stems are nearly naked with basal leaves only.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pallenis maritima native to California?
No. Pallenis maritima is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Pallenis maritima bloom?
Pallenis maritima blooms Feb-Jun.
What plant family does Pallenis maritima belong to?
Pallenis maritima is in the Asteraceae family, genus Pallenis.
What habitat does Pallenis maritima grow in?
Pallenis maritima grows in Rocky shores, sea bluffs, escaped from cultivation.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.