Rudbeckia occidentalis
Western cone-flower
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Rudbeckia occidentalis (Western cone-flower) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by unique discoid heads (no ray flowers) make identification straightforward.
Western cone-flower is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, and northern Sierra Nevada at elevations of 1,200 to 2,800 meters in meadows and seeps. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces distinctive discoid flower heads with dark brown-purple disk flowers lacking ray petals. Growing with stout stems 60 to 200 centimeters tall, it develops simple or few-branched stems that are slightly glaucous and nearly smooth. Its leaves range 12 to 30 centimeters long, with elliptic to widely ovate blades that are coarsely serrate or nearly smooth-edged, typically glabrous or with short hairs. The plant's dark purple paleae and unusual diskoid flower structure make it a unique member of its genus.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; unique discoid heads (no ray flowers) make identification straightforward
Habitat and range
Habitat: Meadows, seeps
Elevation: 1200-2800 m
Outside California: to Washington, Montana, Wyoming, Utah
Bloom period
Rudbeckia occidentalis blooms Jun-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Encelia: Rudbeckia has a tall dark cone center; Encelia has tiny or absent ray petals and flat centers.; vs Helianthus: Rudbeckia has a tall dark cone-shaped center; Helianthus has a flat or gently rounded yellow center.; vs Helenium: Rudbeckia has a cone that starts flat-topped; Helenium has a round ball-shaped center from the start.; vs Ratibida: Rudbeckia fruits are smooth-edged; Ratibida fruits have hairy fringed edges.; vs Gazania: Rudbeckia has a tall cone center; Gazania has a flat center with distinctive dark markings at petal bases.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rudbeckia occidentalis native to California?
Yes. Rudbeckia occidentalis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Rudbeckia occidentalis bloom?
Rudbeckia occidentalis blooms Jun-Aug.
What plant family does Rudbeckia occidentalis belong to?
Rudbeckia occidentalis is in the Asteraceae family, genus Rudbeckia.
What habitat does Rudbeckia occidentalis grow in?
Rudbeckia occidentalis grows in Meadows, seeps.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Rudbeckia sp. — Cone-flower
- Rudbeckia californica — California cone-flower
- Rudbeckia glaucescens — Waxy cone-flower
- Rudbeckia hirta var. pulcherrima — Black-eyed susan
- Rudbeckia klamathensis — Klamath cone-flower
- Santolina chamaecyparissus — Lavender-cotton
- Santolina sp.
- Sanvitalia abertii — Abert's sanvitalia
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.