Stephanomeria paniculata
Stiff branched stephanomeria
(c) Tim Messick, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tim Messick · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Stephanomeria paniculata (Stiff branched stephanomeria) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by distinctive stiff branching pattern and tubercled fruits.
Stiff branched stephanomeria is a California native annual found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Sierra Nevada, and Modoc Plateau in sandy or volcanic soils, plains, and foothills at elevations of 200 to 1,400 meters. Flowering from June to October, this plant produces pale lavender flowers in small panicle-like clusters with heads 6 to 9 millimeters long. Growing 20 to 100 centimeters tall with a single stem and stiff branches spreading nearly at right angles, it creates a distinctive angular growth pattern. Its leaves are primarily basal and wither by flowering time, with cauline leaves reduced to bract-like structures. The fruit features tan, plumose pappus bristles that are widened at the base and partially fused in groups.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; distinguished by distinctive stiff branching pattern and tubercled fruits
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy or volcanic soils, plains, foothills, roadsides
Elevation: 200-1400 m
Outside California: Oregon, Washington, Idaho
Bloom period
Stephanomeria paniculata blooms Jun-Oct.
How to tell it apart
vs Cichorium: Stephanomeria has pink-lavender flowers; chicory has bright blue flowers that close by noon; vs Malacothrix: Stephanomeria has pink-lavender flowers; Malacothrix has yellow or white flowers; vs Epilobium: Stephanomeria has dandelion-like composite flowers; Epilobium has 4-petaled simple flowers; vs Lactuca: Stephanomeria has small pink heads on wiry stems; Lactuca has yellow/blue flowers on leafy stems; vs Rafinesquia: Stephanomeria has pink-lavender flowers; Rafinesquia has white or cream flowers
Frequently asked questions
Is Stephanomeria paniculata native to California?
Yes. Stephanomeria paniculata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Stephanomeria paniculata bloom?
Stephanomeria paniculata blooms Jun-Oct.
What plant family does Stephanomeria paniculata belong to?
Stephanomeria paniculata is in the Asteraceae family, genus Stephanomeria.
What habitat does Stephanomeria paniculata grow in?
Stephanomeria paniculata grows in Sandy or volcanic soils, plains, foothills, roadsides.
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.