Pseudognaphalium biolettii
Two-color rabbit-tobacco
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Pseudognaphalium biolettii (Two-color rabbit-tobacco) is a native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by two-toned sticky leaves and coastal habitat.
Two-color rabbit-tobacco is a California native perennial found in the central Coast Ranges, central Sierra Nevada foothills, Channel Islands, San Jacinto Mountains, and coastal areas in rocky slopes, dunes, coastal scrub, chaparral, and oak woodland at elevations of 5 to 600 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces white to pinkish flowers in heads with multiple series of shiny, sometimes wrinkled phyllaries. Growing with erect stems 20 to 120 centimeters tall that become somewhat woody near the base and are persistently wooly, especially near flower heads. Its leaves are 4 to 10 millimeters wide, oblong to lance-shaped, with a bright green upper surface and white-woolly undersides, often with wavy margins that slightly curl under. The plant is sharply scented, with stems that are densely covered in glandular hairs and leaves that are clasping at the base.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; key features are two-toned sticky leaves and coastal habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky slopes, roadsides, dunes, coastal scrub, chaparral, oak woodland
Elevation: 5-600(1200) m
California counties: San Diego, Ventura, Los Angeles, Del Norte, Imperial, Monterey, Orange, Riverside, San Benito, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Tulare, Kern, Madera, Fresno, Marin, Stanislaus, Napa
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Pseudognaphalium biolettii blooms Apr-Jun.
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 biolettii native to California?
Yes. Pseudognaphalium biolettii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Pseudognaphalium biolettii bloom?
Pseudognaphalium biolettii blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Pseudognaphalium biolettii grow?
Pseudognaphalium biolettii occurs in San Diego, Ventura, Los Angeles, Del Norte, Imperial, Monterey, Orange, Riverside and other counties, at elevations of 5-600(1200) m.
What plant family does Pseudognaphalium biolettii belong to?
Pseudognaphalium biolettii is in the Asteraceae family, genus Pseudognaphalium.
What habitat does Pseudognaphalium biolettii grow in?
Pseudognaphalium biolettii grows in Rocky slopes, roadsides, dunes, coastal scrub, chaparral, oak woodland.
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.