Senecio minimus
Coastal burnweed
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Senecio minimus (Coastal burnweed) is a non-native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by tall stature, evenly fine-dentate leaves, numerous disciform heads.
Coastal burnweed is a naturalized perennial herb found in northern coastal California, western coastal California, and western Central Western regions in disturbed coastal sites at elevations below 200 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces light yellow-green flower heads in rounded to flat-topped clusters with inconspicuous outer phyllaries. Growing 5 to 20 decimeters tall with stems branched distally and sparsely tomentose, it develops from a taproot with branched lateral roots. Its leaves are narrowly lanceolate, 4 to 20 centimeters long and 1 to 4 centimeters wide, with sharply and evenly fine-toothed margins that taper to short, somewhat clasping petioles. The plant produces small fruits 1.5 to 2.5 millimeters long, typically hairy in the grooves between ribs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species; key features are tall stature, evenly fine-dentate leaves, numerous disciform heads
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed coastal sites
Elevation: < 200 m
Outside California: to Washington, Australia, New Zealand
Bloom period
Senecio minimus blooms Jun-Sep.
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 minimus native to California?
No. Senecio minimus is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Senecio minimus bloom?
Senecio minimus blooms Jun-Sep.
What plant family does Senecio minimus belong to?
Senecio minimus is in the Asteraceae family, genus Senecio.
What habitat does Senecio minimus grow in?
Senecio minimus grows in Disturbed coastal sites.
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.