Senecio blochmaniae
Blochman's ragwort, Blochman's Ragwort
(c) Jerry Kirkhart, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Senecio blochmaniae (Blochman's ragwort) is a native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by shrubby form, thread-like fleshy leaves, and sand dune habitat.
Blochman's ragwort is a California native shrub found in the central Coast Ranges in coastal sand dunes and sandy floodplains at elevations below 150 meters. Flowering from May to November, this plant produces yellow ray flowers 8 to 10 millimeters long in clusters of 5 to 20 heads. Growing with multiple erect or arching stems 40 to 130 centimeters tall that root where buried in sand, it has a woody taproot. Its leaves are fleshy and linear, crowded along the stems, 3 to 12 centimeters long and less than 3 millimeters wide. The fruit is covered in short, stiff hairs and measures 3 to 5 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species; key features are shrubby form, thread-like fleshy leaves, and sand dune habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal sand dunes, sandy floodplains
Elevation: < 150 m
Bloom period
Senecio blochmaniae blooms May-Nov.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
How to tell it apart
vs Packera: Senecio has larger leaves (over 2.5 inches) and often black-tipped bracts; Packera has tiny leaves (under 1.5 inches) with green or reddish tips.; vs Sonchus: Senecio has yellow daisy flowers with a neat single row of bracts; Sonchus has dandelion-like flowers and milky sap when broken.; vs Dudleya: Senecio is in the sunflower family with daisy flowers; Dudleya is a succulent with thick fleshy leaves and star-shaped flowers.; vs Ericameria: Senecio has one main row of equal bracts around flower heads; Ericameria has 2-4 overlapping rows of unequal bracts.; vs Taraxacum: Senecio has branching stems with multiple flower heads; Taraxacum has leafless hollow stems with single dandelion-like heads.
Frequently asked questions
Is Senecio blochmaniae native to California?
Yes. Senecio blochmaniae is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Senecio blochmaniae bloom?
Senecio blochmaniae blooms May-Nov.
What plant family does Senecio blochmaniae belong to?
Senecio blochmaniae is in the Asteraceae family, genus Senecio.
Is Senecio blochmaniae rare or endangered?
Senecio blochmaniae carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S3.
What habitat does Senecio blochmaniae grow in?
Senecio blochmaniae grows in Coastal sand dunes, sandy floodplains.
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.