Pseudognaphalium beneolens
Cudweed
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Pseudognaphalium beneolens (Cudweed) is a native California perennial in the Asteraceae family, recognized by very narrow linear leaves.
Cudweed is a California native perennial herb found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, Sierra Nevada foothills, southern Sierra Nevada, Sacramento Valley, San Francisco Bay Area, southern Coast Ranges, southern California, and Peninsular Ranges in dry, open slopes and disturbed sites at elevations up to 850 meters. Flowering from June to October, this plant produces white flowers in loose, panicle-like clusters with dull to shiny involucres 5 to 6 millimeters long. Growing with stems 30 to 110 centimeters tall, it has a distinctively scented, persistently tomentose appearance with grayish foliage. Its narrow leaves are 3 to 6 centimeters long, linear in shape, and decurrent on the stem, with loose gray tomentose surfaces. The plant produces numerous pistillate flowers, typically 44 to 69 in number, with a distinctive scent that characterizes its presence in open habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species; key feature is very narrow linear leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, open slopes and ridges, disturbed sites
Elevation: < 850(1950) m
California counties: San Diego, Los Angeles, Ventura, Butte, Monterey, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Clara, Riverside, Marin, Alameda, Amador, Del Norte, El Dorado, Lake, Madera, Napa, Orange, Plumas, San Benito, San Joaquin, Santa Cruz, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama, Tuolumne, Fresno, Kern, Nevada, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Sonoma, Tulare, Alpine, Contra Costa, Solano, Inyo, Sierra, Placer, Humboldt
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Pseudognaphalium beneolens blooms Jun-Oct.
How to tell it apart
vs Anaphalis: Pseudognaphalium has branched, open flower clusters; Anaphalis has dense, flat-topped clusters and noticeably papery white bracts.; vs Helichrysum: Pseudognaphalium has small, clustered woolly heads; Helichrysum has larger, more colorful papery flower heads often used in dried arrangements.; vs Artemisia: Pseudognaphalium has woolly white leaves and papery flower heads; Artemisia has aromatic gray-green leaves and tiny greenish flowers.; vs Salvia: Pseudognaphalium has papery flower heads in the Asteraceae; Salvia has tubular lipped flowers typical of mints with square stems.; vs Erigeron: Pseudognaphalium has papery heads without obvious petals; Erigeron has clear white or colored ray petals around each flower head.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pseudognaphalium beneolens native to California?
Yes. Pseudognaphalium beneolens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Pseudognaphalium beneolens bloom?
Pseudognaphalium beneolens blooms Jun-Oct.
Where in California does Pseudognaphalium beneolens grow?
Pseudognaphalium beneolens occurs in San Diego, Los Angeles, Ventura, Butte, Monterey, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Clara and other counties, at elevations of < 850(1950) m.
What plant family does Pseudognaphalium beneolens belong to?
Pseudognaphalium beneolens is in the Asteraceae family, genus Pseudognaphalium.
What habitat does Pseudognaphalium beneolens grow in?
Pseudognaphalium beneolens grows in Dry, open slopes and ridges, disturbed sites.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.