Pyrrocoma lanceolata var. lanceolata
Intermountain pyrrocoma
(c) Andrey Zharkikh, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Pyrrocoma lanceolata var. lanceolata (Intermountain pyrrocoma) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by . Glabrous nature is key distinguishing feature.
Intermountain pyrrocoma is a California native perennial found in northern Mono County and the Modoc Plateau in alkaline meadows, marsh edges, and open hillsides at elevations of 1,300 to 2,800 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces yellow flowers in heads that form loose, open clusters. Growing with stems 15 to 50 centimeters tall, it develops an essentially glabrous or nearly hairless form. Its leaves are narrowly lance-shaped, becoming smaller and more narrow toward the stem tips. The plant exhibits interesting chromosomal variation, with documented chromosome counts of 12, 24, and 36.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species. Glabrous nature is key distinguishing feature.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Alkaline meadows, marsh edges, hillsides, open places
Elevation: 1300-2800 m
Outside California: to Oregon, Idaho, south-central Canada, central United States
Bloom period
Pyrrocoma lanceolata var. lanceolata blooms Jun-Sep.
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 lanceolata var. lanceolata native to California?
Yes. Pyrrocoma lanceolata var. lanceolata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Pyrrocoma lanceolata var. lanceolata bloom?
Pyrrocoma lanceolata var. lanceolata blooms Jun-Sep.
What plant family does Pyrrocoma lanceolata var. lanceolata belong to?
Pyrrocoma lanceolata var. lanceolata is in the Asteraceae family, genus Pyrrocoma.
What habitat does Pyrrocoma lanceolata var. lanceolata grow in?
Pyrrocoma lanceolata var. lanceolata grows in Alkaline meadows, marsh edges, hillsides, open places.
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.