Pentachaeta exilis subsp. exilis

Family: Asteraceae · Type: annual · Native

Slender pentachaeta is a California native annual found in northern California Coast Ranges, Sierra Nevada foothills, Central Valley, and central western California in grassland and foothill woodland habitats at elevations below 900 meters. Flowering from March to May, this delicate plant produces white to reddish flowers with yellow tube centers in small discoid heads. Growing with thin, wispy stems typically less than 30 centimeters tall, it forms sparse, open clusters in open grasslands. Its leaves are narrow and relatively inconspicuous, blending seamlessly into the grassy environments where it thrives. The plant's distinctive flower heads feature both white and yellow tones, creating subtle, intricate botanical displays in spring landscapes.

Habitat: Grassland, foothill woodland

Bloom period: Mar-May

Elevation: < 900 m

Bioregions: NCoR, SNF, GV, CW.

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.