Stenotus acaulis
Stemless goldenweed, Stemless Goldenweed
(c) Tim Messick, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Stenotus acaulis (Stemless goldenweed) is a native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by key differences in involucre size, ray flower count, and growth habit.
Stemless goldenweed is a California native perennial found in the northern California Ranges, Sierra Nevada, Great Basin, and Desert Mountains in dry, rocky open scrub, woodland, forest, and alpine areas at elevations of 1,900 to 3,660 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces yellow flowers in small clusters with ray flowers 6 to 12 millimeters long. Growing in dense, mat-like clusters with multiple stems, it forms low-growing clumps across rocky alpine terrain. Its leaves are distinctively linear to widely oblanceolate, ranging from narrow to broadly spoon-shaped, creating a compact and intricate ground-covering appearance. The fruit is either glabrous or densely silky, with a white or tan pappus adding texture to its delicate flowering structure.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; key differences in involucre size, ray flower count, and growth habit
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, rocky open scrub, dry woodland, open forest, alpine
Elevation: 1900-3660 m
Outside California: to Oregon, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona
Bloom period
Stenotus acaulis blooms May-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Nestotus: Stenotus leaves have three veins; Nestotus leaves have only one central vein.; vs Xanthisma: Stenotus leaves are smooth-edged and spoon-shaped; Xanthisma leaves are spine-tipped and prickly.; vs Hazardia: Stenotus forms ground-hugging cushions; Hazardia grows as upright shrubs.; vs Ericameria: Stenotus has broad three-veined leaves; Ericameria has narrow thread-like single-veined leaves.; vs Grindelia: Stenotus forms low woody cushions; Grindelia grows upright with sticky resinous buds.
Frequently asked questions
Is Stenotus acaulis native to California?
Yes. Stenotus acaulis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Stenotus acaulis bloom?
Stenotus acaulis blooms May-Aug.
What plant family does Stenotus acaulis belong to?
Stenotus acaulis is in the Asteraceae family, genus Stenotus.
What habitat does Stenotus acaulis grow in?
Stenotus acaulis grows in Dry, rocky open scrub, dry woodland, open forest, alpine.
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.