Pentachaeta fragilis
Fragile pentachaeta
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Pentachaeta fragilis (Fragile pentachaeta) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by yellow rays and numerous (8-20) pappus bristles.
Fragile pentachaeta is a native annual herb found in southern Sierra Nevada, southern Sierra foothills, southern Coast Ranges, and Transverse Ranges in grassy areas, chaparral, arid woodland, and conifer forest at elevations of 50 to 2,100 meters. Flowering from March to June, this delicate plant produces yellow ray flowers up to 5 millimeters long with matching yellow disk flowers. Growing with slender stems 4 to 16 centimeters tall that are glabrous or sparingly hairy, particularly near the base. Its small leaves are less than 2.5 centimeters long, narrow at 3 millimeters wide, and have a distinctively hairy upper surface. The plant can produce up to 52 flower heads with widely bell-shaped involucres, giving it a delicate and intricate appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; key features are yellow rays and numerous (8-20) pappus bristles
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassy areas, chaparral, arid woodland, conifer forest
Elevation: 50-2100 m
Bloom period
Pentachaeta fragilis blooms Mar-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 fragilis native to California?
Yes. Pentachaeta fragilis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Pentachaeta fragilis bloom?
Pentachaeta fragilis blooms Mar-Jun.
What plant family does Pentachaeta fragilis belong to?
Pentachaeta fragilis is in the Asteraceae family, genus Pentachaeta.
Is Pentachaeta fragilis rare or endangered?
Pentachaeta fragilis carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3.
What habitat does Pentachaeta fragilis grow in?
Pentachaeta fragilis grows in Grassy areas, chaparral, arid woodland, conifer forest.
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.