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yellow pincushion

Scientific Name: Chaenactis glabriuscula var. glabriuscula

Family: Asteraceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Annual

Other Names:

       

Chaenactis glabriuscula: Yellow Pincushion

Chaenactis glabriuscula, commonly known as Yellow Pincushion, is a charming wildflower belonging to the daisy family (Asteraceae).

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Chaenactis glabriuscula DC.
  • Common Name: Yellow Pincushion
  • Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to California and Baja California, Mexico.
  • Also known to occur in New England, surprisingly.
  • Found in chaparral and woodlands.
  • Recently rediscovered near Ballona Lagoon in sandy dune soil.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Slender annual, typically growing to about 24 inches tall.
  • May be 1-few branched.
  • Thinly floccose to glabrous (nearly hairless).
  • Leaves are alternate, 1-2 pinnately cleft.

Ecological Role

  • Attracts bees to gardens or orchards.

Quirky Facts

  • Orcutt's Yellow Pincushions have been described as dandelion-like plants.
  • The leaves alone of other pincushion species (Leucospermum) are used to identify it.

Resources

  • Information available on Wikimedia Commons.