Pyrrocoma racemosa var. pinetorum
Pine pyrrocoma, Pine Pyrrocoma
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Pyrrocoma racemosa var. pinetorum (Pine pyrrocoma) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by NONE sympatric - geographically isolated.
Pine pyrrocoma is a rare (CNPS 4.2) California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges in meadows and open conifer forests at elevations of 600 to 1,700 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces yellow flowers in raceme-like clusters with heads 10 to 15 millimeters wide. Growing with cobwebby stems that form distinctive clusters, it develops delicate lanceolate basal leaves with a soft, wispy appearance. Its leaves are primarily basal, characterized by a narrow, lance-shaped structure that complements the plant's airy growth habit. The plant's phyllaries are densely covered in long, soft hairs, giving it a distinctive silvery-white texture in its native meadow habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: NONE sympatric - geographically isolated.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Meadows, open conifer forest
Elevation: 600-1700 m
Bloom period
Pyrrocoma racemosa var. pinetorum blooms Jul-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
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 racemosa var. pinetorum native to California?
Yes. Pyrrocoma racemosa var. pinetorum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Pyrrocoma racemosa var. pinetorum bloom?
Pyrrocoma racemosa var. pinetorum blooms Jul-Sep.
What plant family does Pyrrocoma racemosa var. pinetorum belong to?
Pyrrocoma racemosa var. pinetorum is in the Asteraceae family, genus Pyrrocoma.
Is Pyrrocoma racemosa var. pinetorum rare or endangered?
Pyrrocoma racemosa var. pinetorum carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S3.
What habitat does Pyrrocoma racemosa var. pinetorum grow in?
Pyrrocoma racemosa var. pinetorum grows in Meadows, open conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.