Syntrichopappus lemmonii
Lemmon's syntrichopappus
no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Syntrichopappus lemmonii (Lemmon's syntrichopappus) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family.
Lemmon's syntrichopappus is a California native annual found in southern California ranges including the Transverse Ranges, San Gabriel Mountains, San Bernardo Mountains, and Monterey County in open, sandy to gravelly areas of chaparral and woodland at elevations of 900 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces yellow flowers with ray florets 2 to 3 millimeters long in distinctive reddish peduncle clusters. Growing with upright stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall that become somewhat hairless with age, it develops a branching, loosely structured form. Its narrow leaves measure 3 to 8 millimeters long, linear to oblanceolate with entire margins and blunt tips. The fruit is small, approximately 2 to 2.5 millimeters long, potentially accompanied by 20 to 30 tiny bristles.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated species with no sympatric congeners, CNPS rank 4.3
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, sandy to gravelly areas in chaparral or Joshua-tree or pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: 900-1500 m
Bloom period
Syntrichopappus lemmonii blooms Apr-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
How to tell it apart
vs Eriophyllum: Syntrichopappus has 5 bracts enfolding ray fruits; Eriophyllum bracts don't enfold fruits.; vs Symphyotrichum: Syntrichopappus entirely woolly-white; Symphyotrichum smooth or only slightly hairy.; vs Oreostemma: Syntrichopappus densely woolly overall; Oreostemma smooth to slightly hairy.; vs Erigeron: Syntrichopappus has dense white wool and 1mm pappus; Erigeron not woolly with longer pappus.; vs Pulicaria: Syntrichopappus has woolly white coating; check Pulicaria for different indument.
Frequently asked questions
Is Syntrichopappus lemmonii native to California?
Yes. Syntrichopappus lemmonii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Syntrichopappus lemmonii bloom?
Syntrichopappus lemmonii blooms Apr-May.
What plant family does Syntrichopappus lemmonii belong to?
Syntrichopappus lemmonii is in the Asteraceae family, genus Syntrichopappus.
Is Syntrichopappus lemmonii rare or endangered?
Syntrichopappus lemmonii carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
What habitat does Syntrichopappus lemmonii grow in?
Syntrichopappus lemmonii grows in Open, sandy to gravelly areas in chaparral or Joshua-tree or pinyon/juniper woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.