Tracyina rostrata
Beaked tracyina
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Tracyina rostrata (Beaked tracyina) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by Monotypic genus endemic to California's North Coast Ranges; beaked fruit morphology unique among California Asteraceae.
Beaked tracyina is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in northern Coast Ranges and northern Coast interior in grassy slopes at elevations of 100 to 400 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces yellow flowers with subtle purple tinge, forming small radiate heads with ray flowers measuring 1 to 1.5 millimeters long. Growing 5 to 30 centimeters tall with erect stems that can branch distally, often with branches exceeding the main stem. Its leaves are narrowly lanceolate to linear, 10 to 25 millimeters long, alternate, and ciliate with sparse minute hairs. The distinctive fruit is nearly beaked, spindle-shaped, and 5 to 6 millimeters long with a pappus of 30 to 40 long-tapered bristles.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Monotypic genus endemic to California's North Coast Ranges; beaked fruit morphology unique among California Asteraceae
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassy slopes
Elevation: 100-400+ m
Bloom period
Tracyina rostrata blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Chloracantha: Tracyina has dramatically long-beaked fruits; Chloracantha fruits not long-tapered.; vs Erigeron: Tracyina has large 5-6mm beaked fruits; Erigeron has smaller unbeaked fruits.; vs Symphyotrichum: Tracyina fruits 5-6mm with long beaks; Symphyotrichum fruits smaller without beaks.; vs Pulicaria: Tracyina has long-beaked fruits and candelabra branching; check Pulicaria branching pattern.; vs Pentachaeta: Tracyina has 5-6mm long-beaked fruits; Pentachaeta fruits much smaller.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tracyina rostrata native to California?
Yes. Tracyina rostrata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Tracyina rostrata bloom?
Tracyina rostrata blooms May-Jun.
What plant family does Tracyina rostrata belong to?
Tracyina rostrata is in the Asteraceae family, genus Tracyina.
Is Tracyina rostrata rare or endangered?
Tracyina rostrata carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
What habitat does Tracyina rostrata grow in?
Tracyina rostrata grows in Grassy slopes.
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.