Pyrrocoma hirta var. hirta
Sticky pyrrocoma
Photo: parent species Pyrrocoma hirta · (c) Daniel Kennedy, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Pyrrocoma hirta var. hirta (Sticky pyrrocoma) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by . Dense glandular nature vs. other varieties/species.
Sticky pyrrocoma is a California native perennial found in the Modoc Plateau in meadows and open forests at elevations of 1,200 to 1,600 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces yellow flowers in heads with tightly packed, nearly equal phyllaries. Growing with glandular stems up to 30 to 50 centimeters tall, it forms dense clusters with a distinctive sticky texture. Its leaves are densely covered in soft, woolly tomentose indumentum, giving the plant a fuzzy appearance. The plant thrives in varied conditions, including alkaline soils, with a compact growth habit that helps it survive in challenging mountain environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species. Dense glandular nature vs. other varieties/species.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Meadows, open forest, sometimes in alkaline soils
Elevation: 1200-1600 m
Outside California: to Oregon, Idaho, Nevada
Bloom period
Pyrrocoma hirta var. hirta blooms Jul-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Heterotheca: Pyrrocoma has 3-4 angled fruits and prominent basal rosette; Heterotheca has round fruits.; vs Solidago: Pyrrocoma grows from stout taproot with basal rosette in alpine areas; Solidago lacks prominent basal rosette.; vs Xanthisma: Pyrrocoma has 3-4 angled fruits from basal rosette; Xanthisma has round fruits and branched stems.; vs Tonestus: Pyrrocoma has variable hairiness (smooth to woolly); Tonestus is always sticky-glandular.; vs Petradoria: Pyrrocoma grows in alpine areas with angled fruits; Petradoria is desert-only with phyllaries in vertical ranks.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pyrrocoma hirta var. hirta native to California?
Yes. Pyrrocoma hirta var. hirta is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Pyrrocoma hirta var. hirta bloom?
Pyrrocoma hirta var. hirta blooms Jul-Aug.
What plant family does Pyrrocoma hirta var. hirta belong to?
Pyrrocoma hirta var. hirta is in the Asteraceae family, genus Pyrrocoma.
What habitat does Pyrrocoma hirta var. hirta grow in?
Pyrrocoma hirta var. hirta grows in Meadows, open forest, sometimes in alkaline soils.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.