Pyrrocoma lucida
Sticky pyrrocoma
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Pyrrocoma lucida (Sticky pyrrocoma) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by . Dense spike-like inflorescence and shiny appearance.
Sticky pyrrocoma is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in northern Sierra Nevada Mountains in alkaline clay flats, sagebrush scrub, and open forest at elevations of 700 to 2,050 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces yellow ray flowers 7 to 14 millimeters long with crowded heads 12 to 30 millimeters in diameter. Growing with erect stems 25 to 75 centimeters tall that are glabrous and slightly shiny from gland-dots, it develops a distinctive clustered spike-like inflorescence. Its leaves are 1 to 25 centimeters long, oblanceolate and either entire or lightly serrated, arranged along the stem. The fruit is silky and 2.5 to 4 millimeters long with a tan to brownish pappus 5 to 7 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species. Dense spike-like inflorescence and shiny appearance.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Alkaline clay flats, sagebrush scrub, open forest
Elevation: 700-2050 m
Bloom period
Pyrrocoma lucida blooms Jul-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 lucida native to California?
Yes. Pyrrocoma lucida is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Pyrrocoma lucida bloom?
Pyrrocoma lucida blooms Jul-Sep.
What plant family does Pyrrocoma lucida belong to?
Pyrrocoma lucida is in the Asteraceae family, genus Pyrrocoma.
Is Pyrrocoma lucida rare or endangered?
Pyrrocoma lucida carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S3.
What habitat does Pyrrocoma lucida grow in?
Pyrrocoma lucida grows in Alkaline clay flats, sagebrush scrub, open forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Pyrrocoma racemosa — Clustered goldenweed
- Pyrrocoma racemosa var. congesta — Del norte pyrrocoma
- Pyrrocoma racemosa var. paniculata — Clustered goldenweed
- Pyrrocoma racemosa var. pinetorum — Pine pyrrocoma
- Pyrrocoma racemosa var. racemosa — Clustered goldenweed
- Pyrrocoma racemosa var. sessiliflora — Clustered goldenweed
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.