Solidago velutina subsp. sparsiflora
Photo: parent species Solidago velutina · (c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Solidago velutina subsp. sparsiflora is a native California perennial in the Asteraceae family, recognized by Great Basin distribution, sparsely hairy, pyramid inflorescence 1-sided at tip, resinous obtuse phyllaries.
Velvet goldenrod is a California native perennial found in the Great Basin in woodland margins, grasslands, and disturbed soils at elevations of 500 to 2,200 meters. Flowering from July to October, this plant produces yellow flowers in pyramid-shaped clusters with heads generally 3 to 6 millimeters wide. Growing with slender stems 30 to 80 centimeters tall, it has a sparsely short-hairy appearance and delicate branching. Its leaves are generally three-veined, with a characteristic lance-shaped form that helps distinguish this goldenrod from similar species. The plant's small ray flowers, typically 6 to 9 per head, create a distinctive one-sided cluster at the tip of its branches.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; key features are Great Basin distribution, sparsely hairy, pyramid inflorescence 1-sided at tip, resinous obtuse phyllaries
Habitat and range
Habitat: Woodland margins, grassland, disturbed soils
Elevation: 500-2200 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Plumas, Colusa, Modoc, Lassen, Inyo, Riverside, San Diego, Alpine
Outside California: to southern Idaho, Colorado, western Texas, northern Mexico
Bloom period
Solidago velutina subsp. sparsiflora blooms Jul-Oct.
How to tell it apart
vs Euthamia: Solidago flowers cluster one-sided on branches; Euthamia flowers form flat-topped clusters.; vs Isocoma: Solidago has small yellow ray petals; Isocoma completely lacks ray petals (disk flowers only).; vs Senecio: Solidago heads in one-sided clusters; Senecio heads in flat or rounded clusters, never one-sided.; vs Eriophyllum: Solidago foliage is green and smooth; Eriophyllum foliage is densely white-woolly.; vs Artemisia: Solidago has showy yellow ray petals; Artemisia has tiny inconspicuous rayless heads.
Frequently asked questions
Is Solidago velutina subsp. sparsiflora native to California?
Yes. Solidago velutina subsp. sparsiflora is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Solidago velutina subsp. sparsiflora bloom?
Solidago velutina subsp. sparsiflora blooms Jul-Oct.
Where in California does Solidago velutina subsp. sparsiflora grow?
Solidago velutina subsp. sparsiflora occurs in San Bernardino, Plumas, Colusa, Modoc, Lassen, Inyo, Riverside, San Diego and other counties, at elevations of 500-2200 m.
What plant family does Solidago velutina subsp. sparsiflora belong to?
Solidago velutina subsp. sparsiflora is in the Asteraceae family, genus Solidago.
What habitat does Solidago velutina subsp. sparsiflora grow in?
Solidago velutina subsp. sparsiflora grows in Woodland margins, grassland, disturbed soils.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Solidago altissima subsp. altissima — Late goldenrod
- Solidago confinis — Southern goldenrod
- Solidago elongata — West coast canada goldenrod
- Solidago guiradonis — Guirado's goldenrod
- Solidago lepida var. salebrosa — Western goldenrod
- Solidago multiradiata — Northern goldenrod
- Soliva sessilis — Common soliva
- Soliva sp.
- Sonchus arvensis — Perennial sow thistle
- Sonchus arvensis subsp. arvensis
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.