Wyethia longicaulis
Humboldt county wyethia
(c) Justin Paulin, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Justin Paulin · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Wyethia longicaulis (Humboldt county wyethia) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by differentiated by varnished appearance and small ray count.
Humboldt county wyethia is a California native perennial ranked 4.3 by CNPS, found in the Klamath Ranges and northern Coast Ranges in grassland and open forest at elevations of 750 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces yellow ray flowers 20 to 30 millimeters long with distinctive heads 15 to 30 millimeters in diameter. Growing 20 to 50 centimeters tall with a glabrous or slightly puberulent stem, the plant has an upright, open habit. Its basal leaves are large and striking, reaching 10 to 25 centimeters long, with an oblong-oblanceolate shape that appears varnished and gland-dotted. The flower heads are solitary to clustered, with bell-shaped involucres and lanceolate to ovate phyllaries that are barely leaf-like.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species - differentiated by varnished appearance and small ray count
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassland, open forest
Elevation: 750-1500 m
Bloom period
Wyethia longicaulis blooms May-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
How to tell it apart
vs Helianthella: Wyethia has leaves scattered up the stem while Helianthella leaves are mostly basal or opposite.; vs Balsamorhiza: Wyethia has several leaves climbing the stem; Balsamorhiza leaves are nearly all at ground level.; vs Agnorhiza: Wyethia has large 8-12mm disk flowers; Agnorhiza disk flowers are much smaller.; vs Helianthus: Wyethia has very large disk flowers (8-12mm) and broader leaves; Helianthus has smaller disk flowers.; vs Gazania: Wyethia is a robust native perennial with scattered stem leaves; Gazania is a low garden escape.
Frequently asked questions
Is Wyethia longicaulis native to California?
Yes. Wyethia longicaulis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Wyethia longicaulis bloom?
Wyethia longicaulis blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Wyethia longicaulis belong to?
Wyethia longicaulis is in the Asteraceae family, genus Wyethia.
Is Wyethia longicaulis rare or endangered?
Wyethia longicaulis carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
What habitat does Wyethia longicaulis grow in?
Wyethia longicaulis grows in Grassland, open forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.