Pyrrocoma racemosa var. racemosa
Clustered goldenweed
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Pyrrocoma racemosa var. racemosa (Clustered goldenweed) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by . Large heads in raceme-like clusters at low coastal elevations.
Clustered goldenweed is a California native perennial found in northern coastal regions, central California, and southern Sacramento Valley in coastal valleys and marshes, sometimes in saline soils, at elevations below 900 meters. Flowering from June to October, this plant produces yellow flowers in raceme-like clusters with involucres 10 to 15 millimeters wide and distinctively ciliate phyllaries. Growing with stems that form compact clusters, it develops a robust perennial structure with multiple flowering branches. Its basal leaves are distinctively oblanceolate to elliptic in shape, providing a soft, elegant foundation to the plant's overall form. The flower heads create dense, golden-yellow displays that highlight its adaptation to coastal and marshy environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species. Large heads in raceme-like clusters at low coastal elevations.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal valleys, marshes, sometimes in saline soils
Elevation: < 900 m
Outside California: Oregon
Bloom period
Pyrrocoma racemosa var. racemosa blooms Jun-Oct.
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. racemosa native to California?
Yes. Pyrrocoma racemosa var. racemosa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Pyrrocoma racemosa var. racemosa bloom?
Pyrrocoma racemosa var. racemosa blooms Jun-Oct.
What plant family does Pyrrocoma racemosa var. racemosa belong to?
Pyrrocoma racemosa var. racemosa is in the Asteraceae family, genus Pyrrocoma.
What habitat does Pyrrocoma racemosa var. racemosa grow in?
Pyrrocoma racemosa var. racemosa grows in Coastal valleys, marshes, sometimes in saline 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.