Soliva sessilis
Common soliva
(c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Soliva sessilis (Common soliva) is a non-native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by South American introduction with specialized fruit morphology adapted for dispersal by foot traffic, unique within California Asteraceae.
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.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: South American introduction with specialized fruit morphology adapted for dispersal by foot traffic, unique within California Asteraceae
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas, especially hard-packed paths
Elevation: < 1500 m
Outside California: widely naturalized, native to South America
Bloom period
Soliva sessilis blooms Apr-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Lepidium: Lepidium has four-petaled flowers on stalks; Soliva has stalkless composite heads hidden in leaf bases.; vs Cotula: Cotula heads elevated on leafless stalks; Soliva heads stalkless and buried in leaf bases.; vs Eschscholzia: Eschscholzia has showy orange poppy flowers; Soliva has tiny hidden composite heads.; vs Sagina: Sagina has four or five separate petals; Soliva has composite flower heads.; vs Dicoria: Dicoria has branched flowering clusters; Soliva has single stalkless heads hidden at base.
Frequently asked questions
Is Soliva sessilis native to California?
No. Soliva sessilis is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Soliva sessilis bloom?
Soliva sessilis blooms Apr-Jul.
What plant family does Soliva sessilis belong to?
Soliva sessilis is in the Asteraceae family, genus Soliva.
What habitat does Soliva sessilis grow in?
Soliva sessilis grows in Disturbed areas, especially hard-packed paths.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.