Senecio integerrimus var. ochroleucus
Pale-yellow ragwort
Photo: parent species Senecio integerrimus · (c) John Powers, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Senecio integerrimus var. ochroleucus (Pale-yellow ragwort) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by key diagnostic feature is unique white ray petals among California ragworts.
Pale-yellow ragwort is a California native perennial found in the high northern California Mountains in moist openings of conifer forest at elevations of 600 to 1,700 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces white ray flowers 10 to 15 millimeters long in heads with 5 to 8 rays. Growing with slender stems that become nearly hairless as they flower, it reaches heights of 20 to 50 centimeters. Its basal and lower stem leaves vary from ovate to obovate, with bases that taper or are slightly truncate, typically petioled and ranging 5 to 15 centimeters in length. The plant's flower heads feature linear phyllaries 7 to 10 millimeters long, often with distinctive green or black-tipped edges.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species; key diagnostic feature is unique white ray petals among California ragworts
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist openings in conifer forest
Elevation: 600-1700 m
Outside California: to British Columbia, Alberta, Montana
Bloom period
Senecio integerrimus var. ochroleucus blooms May-Jul.
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 integerrimus var. ochroleucus native to California?
Yes. Senecio integerrimus var. ochroleucus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Senecio integerrimus var. ochroleucus bloom?
Senecio integerrimus var. ochroleucus blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Senecio integerrimus var. ochroleucus belong to?
Senecio integerrimus var. ochroleucus is in the Asteraceae family, genus Senecio.
What habitat does Senecio integerrimus var. ochroleucus grow in?
Senecio integerrimus var. ochroleucus grows in Moist openings in conifer forest.
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.