Soliva sessilis

Common soliva

Family: Asteraceae · Type: annual · Not Native

Common soliva is a naturalized annual found in northwestern California, Sierra Nevada foothills, central western, and southwestern regions in disturbed areas, especially hard-packed paths at elevations below 1,500 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces small, inconspicuous flowers in compact heads around 2 to 4 millimeters wide. Growing with erect or spreading stems 1 to 15 centimeters tall, it forms mat-like patches with soft hairs that may become nearly hairless. Its leaves are 1 to 2 centimeters long, arranged alternately or somewhat whorled along the stem, giving the plant a delicate, sprawling appearance. The fruit is distinctive, with an oblanceolate to obovate body 2.5 to 3 millimeters long, often featuring spine-like teeth along its wing margins.

Habitat: Disturbed areas, especially hard-packed paths

Bloom period: Apr-Jul

Elevation: < 1500 m

Bioregions: NW, SNF, CW, SW

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.