Trichoptilium incisum
Yellow head
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Trichoptilium incisum (Yellow head) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by Monotypic genus endemic to southwestern deserts; unique pappus morphology.
Yellow head is a California native perennial found in the Desert bioregion on dry slopes, plains, and creosote-bush scrub at elevations below 1,500 meters. Flowering from January to May and October to December, this plant produces yellow flowers in heads 6 to 12 millimeters wide, sometimes with pink-tinged outer flowers. Growing with 1 to several stems from the base, reaching 5 to 25 centimeters tall and generally covered in dense woolly hairs. Its leaves are mostly clustered in the lower half of the plant, oblanceolate to spoon-shaped, 1 to 3 centimeters long, with sharply toothed edges and covered in dense tomentose hairs. The fruit is 2 to 3 millimeters long, topped with five scales that split into multiple fine bristles.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Monotypic genus endemic to southwestern deserts; unique pappus morphology
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry slopes, plains, creosote-bush scrub
Elevation: < 1500 m
Outside California: southern Nevada, southwestern Arizona, northern Baja California
Bloom period
Trichoptilium incisum blooms Jan-May, Oct--Dec.
How to tell it apart
vs Chaenactis: Chaenactis has white/purple flowers; Trichoptilium always bright yellow; vs Palafoxia: Palafoxia leaves entirely smooth-edged; Trichoptilium leaves sharply toothed/lobed; vs Arnica: Arnica has opposite leaves and mountain habitat; Trichoptilium alternate leaves in deserts; vs Hymenothrix: Hymenothrix pappus scales not dissected; Trichoptilium scales divided into feathery bristles; vs Delairea: Delairea is a climbing vine; Trichoptilium erect desert annual herb
Frequently asked questions
Is Trichoptilium incisum native to California?
Yes. Trichoptilium incisum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Trichoptilium incisum bloom?
Trichoptilium incisum blooms Jan-May, Oct--Dec.
What plant family does Trichoptilium incisum belong to?
Trichoptilium incisum is in the Asteraceae family, genus Trichoptilium.
What habitat does Trichoptilium incisum grow in?
Trichoptilium incisum grows in dry slopes, plains, creosote-bush scrub.
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.