Pentachaeta aurea subsp. aurea
Golden-rayed pentachaeta, Golden-Rayed Pentachaeta
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Pentachaeta aurea subsp. aurea (Golden-rayed pentachaeta) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by solid-colored rays and higher elevation tolerance.
Golden-rayed pentachaeta is a California native annual found in southern California coastal areas, the San Gabriel Mountains, San Bernardino Mountains, and Peninsular Ranges in grassy areas, scrub, woodland, and conifer forest at elevations below 2,250 meters. Flowering from March to July, this plant produces distinctive yellow to brown-orange ray flowers in heads 14 to 52 millimeters long. Growing with delicate branching stems typically 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it spreads in open, sunny habitats. Its leaves are narrow and lance-shaped, arranged alternately along the stem, providing a subtle green backdrop to its bright floral display. The small fruits are typical of annual daisy-like plants, dispersing seeds to continue the plant's annual lifecycle.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; key features are solid-colored rays and higher elevation tolerance
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassy areas, scrub, woodland, conifer forest
Elevation: < 2250 m
California counties: San Diego, Riverside
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Pentachaeta aurea subsp. aurea blooms Mar-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
How to tell it apart
vs Lasthenia: Pentachaeta has only 1-5 female flowers per head; Lasthenia has many more female flowers.; vs Thymophylla: Pentachaeta is non-glandular and unscented; Thymophylla is strongly aromatic with glands.; vs Eriophyllum: Pentachaeta has thread-like delicate stems; Eriophyllum has sturdier stems and woolly coating.; vs Bebbia: Pentachaeta is tiny delicate annual; Bebbia is woody shrub with nearly leafless stems.; vs Hazardia: Pentachaeta is thread-like delicate annual; Hazardia is woody leafy shrub.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pentachaeta aurea subsp. aurea native to California?
Yes. Pentachaeta aurea subsp. aurea is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Pentachaeta aurea subsp. aurea bloom?
Pentachaeta aurea subsp. aurea blooms Mar-Jul.
Where in California does Pentachaeta aurea subsp. aurea grow?
Pentachaeta aurea subsp. aurea occurs in San Diego, Riverside, at elevations of < 2250 m.
What plant family does Pentachaeta aurea subsp. aurea belong to?
Pentachaeta aurea subsp. aurea is in the Asteraceae family, genus Pentachaeta.
Is Pentachaeta aurea subsp. aurea rare or endangered?
Pentachaeta aurea subsp. aurea carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S3.
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 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.