Stenotus lanuginosus var. lanuginosus
Woolly stenotus
(c) Mark Pollock, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Mark Pollock · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Stenotus lanuginosus var. lanuginosus (Woolly stenotus) is a native California perennial in the Asteraceae family, recognized by key differences in involucre size, ray flower count, and growth habit; CNPS 2B.2 rare plant.
Woolly stenotus is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native perennial found in southern Modoc Plateau in Lassen County in sagebrush scrub, juniper woodland, and dry meadows at elevations around 1,500 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces yellow flowers in solitary heads 9 to 15 millimeters wide with 9 to 17 ray flowers. Growing loosely clustered with erect stems, it forms a delicate clumped habit with linear to linear-oblanceolate leaves concentrated on the lower two-thirds of the stem. Its leaves are slender and narrow, arranged along the stem with a sparse, understated arrangement. The fruit is thinly covered with silky hairs, giving the plant a soft, delicate texture.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; key differences in involucre size, ray flower count, and growth habit; CNPS 2B.2 rare plant
Habitat and range
Habitat: Shallow, rocky soils, sagebrush scrub, juniper woodland, dry meadows
Elevation: +- 1500 m.
Outside California: to Washington, Montana, Nevada
Bloom period
Stenotus lanuginosus var. lanuginosus blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
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 lanuginosus var. lanuginosus native to California?
Yes. Stenotus lanuginosus var. lanuginosus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Stenotus lanuginosus var. lanuginosus bloom?
Stenotus lanuginosus var. lanuginosus blooms May-Jun.
What plant family does Stenotus lanuginosus var. lanuginosus belong to?
Stenotus lanuginosus var. lanuginosus is in the Asteraceae family, genus Stenotus.
Is Stenotus lanuginosus var. lanuginosus rare or endangered?
Stenotus lanuginosus var. lanuginosus carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S3.
What habitat does Stenotus lanuginosus var. lanuginosus grow in?
Stenotus lanuginosus var. lanuginosus grows in Shallow, rocky soils, sagebrush scrub, juniper woodland, dry meadows.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.