Stephanomeria pauciflora
Wire-lettuce, Wire-Lettuce
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Stephanomeria pauciflora (Wire-lettuce) is a native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by intricately branched woody perennial habit and scattered single heads.
Wire-lettuce is a California native perennial herb found in southern Sierra Nevada, Tehachapi, San Joaquin Valley, southern Coast Ranges, southern California, Transverse Ranges, eastern Peninsular Ranges, eastern Sierra Nevada, and Desert regions in sandy, gravelly washes, slopes, and plains at elevations of 200 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from March to November, this plant produces white to lavender-pink flowers in solitary heads approximately 1 centimeter long. Growing 2 to 10 meters tall with multiple intricately branched stems that spread widely, it develops from a woody base with ascending or widely spreading branches. Its leaves are predominantly basal and quickly wither during flowering, with cauline leaves becoming progressively smaller and bract-like as the plant matures. The fruit features distinctively grooved and tubercled surfaces with tan, feathery pappus bristles that are widened at the base.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species; distinguished by intricately branched woody perennial habit and scattered single heads
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy, gravelly washes, slopes, plains
Elevation: 200-1500 m
Outside California: to Wyoming, Kansas, Texas, northwestern Mexico
Bloom period
Stephanomeria pauciflora blooms Mar-Nov.
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 pauciflora native to California?
Yes. Stephanomeria pauciflora is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Stephanomeria pauciflora bloom?
Stephanomeria pauciflora blooms Mar-Nov.
What plant family does Stephanomeria pauciflora belong to?
Stephanomeria pauciflora is in the Asteraceae family, genus Stephanomeria.
What habitat does Stephanomeria pauciflora grow in?
Stephanomeria pauciflora grows in Sandy, gravelly washes, slopes, plains.
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.