Sessileflower False Goldenaster

Heterotheca sessiliflora is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae known by the common name sessileflower false goldenaster. It is native to California, Sonora, and Baja California.

Heterotheca sessiliflora grows in many types of habitats. It is a perennial herb which is quite variable in appearance, particularly across its four subspecies. It may be a small clumping or mat-forming plant or grow tall stems to heights exceeding a meter. It is coated in small bristles or long woolly hairs and it is glandular, particularly around the inflorescence. The flower head contains long yellowish disc florets and the edge is fringed with yellow ray florets.

Subspecies + varieties

Heterotheca sessiliflora subsp. bolanderi (A.Gray) Semple San Francisco Bay area + coast of Redwood Country

Heterotheca sessiliflora subsp. echioides (Benth.) Semple - from San Diego County to Sonoma County

Heterotheca sessiliflora subsp. fastigiata (Greene) Semple - mountains of southern California

Heterotheca sessiliflora var. sessiliflora

Heterotheca sessiliflora subsp. sessiliflora - from Baja California north as far as Santa Clara County

Heterotheca sessiliflora var. thiniicola (Rzed. & C.Ezcurra) G.L.Nesom - Gran Desierto de Alta northwestern Sonora