Xanthisma spinulosum var. gooddingii
Spiny goldenweed, Spiny Goldenweed
(c) Catherine C. Galley, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Catherine C. Galley · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Xanthisma spinulosum var. gooddingii (Spiny goldenweed) is a native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family.
Spiny goldenweed is a California native perennial found in southeastern Mojave Desert and northeastern Sonoran Desert regions in rocky places and creosote-bush scrub at elevations below 900 meters. Flowering from February to May and September to October, this plant produces bright yellow ray flowers in heads 15 to 18 millimeters wide with 30 to 45 distinctive yellow rays. Growing with erect or ascending stems 20 to 60 centimeters tall that are glandular-puberulent and leafy, especially in the lower half. Its leaves are 2 to 5 centimeters long, with proximal leaves having 1 to 2 pinnate lobes and scattered stalked glands. The fruit is 2 to 3 millimeters long with an appressed-hairy surface and a tan pappus 3 to 5 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 0 sympatric species - geographically isolated in se DMoj, ne DSon
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky places, washes; creosote-bush scrub
Elevation: < 900 m
California counties: Riverside, San Bernardino
Outside California: Nevada, Arizona, northwestern Mexico
Bloom period
Xanthisma spinulosum var. gooddingii blooms Feb-May, Sep--Oct.
How to tell it apart
vs Heterotheca: Xanthisma leaves have spine-tipped teeth; Heterotheca leaves lack spines and are soft.; vs Stenotus: Xanthisma has spiny-edged leaves; Stenotus has smooth three-veined leaves.; vs Nestotus: Xanthisma leaves are spine-tipped and rigid; Nestotus leaves are smooth and thread-like.; vs Hazardia: Xanthisma upper leaves become scale-like; Hazardia maintains normal leaves throughout.; vs Ericameria: Xanthisma has spine-tipped leaf teeth; Ericameria has smooth narrow thread-like leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Xanthisma spinulosum var. gooddingii native to California?
Yes. Xanthisma spinulosum var. gooddingii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Xanthisma spinulosum var. gooddingii bloom?
Xanthisma spinulosum var. gooddingii blooms Feb-May, Sep--Oct.
Where in California does Xanthisma spinulosum var. gooddingii grow?
Xanthisma spinulosum var. gooddingii occurs in Riverside, San Bernardino, at elevations of < 900 m.
What plant family does Xanthisma spinulosum var. gooddingii belong to?
Xanthisma spinulosum var. gooddingii is in the Asteraceae family, genus Xanthisma.
What habitat does Xanthisma spinulosum var. gooddingii grow in?
Xanthisma spinulosum var. gooddingii grows in Rocky places, washes; 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.