Pyrrocoma racemosa var. congesta
Del norte pyrrocoma, Del Norte Pyrrocoma
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Pyrrocoma racemosa var. congesta (Del norte pyrrocoma) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by NONE sympatric - geographically isolated.
Del norte pyrrocoma is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native perennial found in northwestern Klamath Ranges in chaparral, conifer forest, and boggy sites, particularly on serpentine soil at elevations of 200 to 1,000 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces yellow-green flowers in crowded, spike-like clusters with distinctive glandular-ciliate phyllary tips. Growing with erect stems reaching 30 to 50 centimeters tall, it develops a compact, dense inflorescence. Its leaves are typically narrow and elongated, blending with the plant's yellow-green coloration. The flower heads are 12 to 16 millimeters in diameter, with involucres 5 to 8.5 millimeters long and sparsely tomentose at the base.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: NONE sympatric - geographically isolated.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, conifer forest, boggy sites; serpentine soil
Elevation: 200-1000 m
Outside California: southwestern Oregon
Bloom period
Pyrrocoma racemosa var. congesta blooms Jul-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.3
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 racemosa var. congesta native to California?
Yes. Pyrrocoma racemosa var. congesta is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Pyrrocoma racemosa var. congesta bloom?
Pyrrocoma racemosa var. congesta blooms Jul-Sep.
What plant family does Pyrrocoma racemosa var. congesta belong to?
Pyrrocoma racemosa var. congesta is in the Asteraceae family, genus Pyrrocoma.
Is Pyrrocoma racemosa var. congesta rare or endangered?
Pyrrocoma racemosa var. congesta carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S2.
What habitat does Pyrrocoma racemosa var. congesta grow in?
Pyrrocoma racemosa var. congesta grows in Chaparral, conifer forest, boggy sites; serpentine soil.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · 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.