Psilocarphus brevissimus var. brevissimus
Dwarf woollyheads, Dwarf Woollyheads
(c) Don Loarie, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Don Loarie · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Psilocarphus brevissimus var. brevissimus (Dwarf woollyheads) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by largest heads.
Dwarf woollyheads is a California native annual found in the California Floristic Province, excluding certain regions, and the Modoc Plateau at elevations of 10 to 2,500 meters, typically growing in drying edges of vernal pools, mud flats, and seasonal drainages. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces small, spheric woolly heads approximately 6 to 9 millimeters long with delicate white to pale cream-colored flowers. Growing with stems 1 to 10 centimeters tall, it forms a generally woolly plant with compact growth habit. Its leaves are relatively short, typically 8 to 15 millimeters long and 1.5 to 4 times wider than their length, providing a soft, dense appearance. The plant's distinctive paleae (scale-like structures) are obovoid, with wings covering at least two-thirds of their length, giving the tiny woollyheads a unique textural quality.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; largest heads are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Drying edges of vernal pools, mud flats, drainages
Elevation: 10-2500 m
Outside California: to British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Wyoming, Utah, northwestern Baja California, also southern South America
Bloom period
Psilocarphus brevissimus var. brevissimus blooms May-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Stylocline: Psilocarphus has opposite leaves; Stylocline has alternate leaves (may appear whorled).; vs Gnaphalium: Psilocarphus has opposite leaves and no pappus; Gnaphalium has alternate leaves and pappus present.; vs Pseudognaphalium: Psilocarphus has opposite leaves; Pseudognaphalium has alternate leaves.; vs Logfia: Psilocarphus has opposite leaves; Logfia has alternate leaves.; vs Micropus: Psilocarphus lacks prominent petal-like bracts; Micropus has 4-6 conspicuous spoon-shaped outer bracts.
Frequently asked questions
Is Psilocarphus brevissimus var. brevissimus native to California?
Yes. Psilocarphus brevissimus var. brevissimus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Psilocarphus brevissimus var. brevissimus bloom?
Psilocarphus brevissimus var. brevissimus blooms May-Jun.
What plant family does Psilocarphus brevissimus var. brevissimus belong to?
Psilocarphus brevissimus var. brevissimus is in the Asteraceae family, genus Psilocarphus.
What habitat does Psilocarphus brevissimus var. brevissimus grow in?
Psilocarphus brevissimus var. brevissimus grows in Drying edges of vernal pools, mud flats, drainages.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-08
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.