Psathyrotes annua
Annual psathyrotes
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Psathyrotes annua (Annual psathyrotes) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by key differences in habitat preference, elevation range, and flower color.
Annual psathyrotes is a California native perennial found on the northern edge of the San Bernardo Mountains, Southeastern Sierra Nevada, and Mojave Desert in alkali soils, washes, and playas at elevations of 400 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from April to October, this plant produces yellow flowers often with purple-tipped petals in small heads approximately 4 to 5 millimeters long. Growing with compact stems 4 to 15 centimeters tall, it forms low, rounded clusters in harsh desert environments. Its leaves are distinctive, with rounded to kidney-shaped blades 4 to 18 millimeters long and 6 to 26 millimeters wide, often featuring subtle teeth along the edges. The plant produces small fruits 2 to 3 millimeters long with delicate pappus bristles.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; key differences in habitat preference, elevation range, and flower color
Habitat and range
Habitat: Alkali soils, washes, playas
Elevation: 400-2000 m
Outside California: to Idaho, Utah, northwestern Arizona
Bloom period
Psathyrotes annua blooms Apr-Oct.
How to tell it apart
vs Marrubium: Psathyrotes is in Asteraceae with composite flowers; horehound is in mint family with whorled flowers.; vs Eriogonum: Psathyrotes has yellow composite flowers; buckwheat has clustered ball-like pink/white/yellow blooms.; vs Delairea: Psathyrotes forms low desert mounds; Delairea is a climbing coastal vine.; vs Cacaliopsis: Psathyrotes is a low woolly desert mound; Cacaliopsis is an upright mountain plant.; vs Senecio: Psathyrotes forms dense woolly cushions with circular leaves; Senecio is upright with divided leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Psathyrotes annua native to California?
Yes. Psathyrotes annua is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Psathyrotes annua bloom?
Psathyrotes annua blooms Apr-Oct.
What plant family does Psathyrotes annua belong to?
Psathyrotes annua is in the Asteraceae family, genus Psathyrotes.
What habitat does Psathyrotes annua grow in?
Psathyrotes annua grows in Alkali soils, washes, playas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.