Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Yellow pincushion (Chaenactis glabriuscula var. glabriuscula)  is an annual that grows in a wide variety of habitats in California and Baja California, generally in dry open places, including sand dunes or serpentine soil. In spring, yellow flowers bloom in a tuft or “pincushion” on stalks above a basal rosette of leaves. The outermost flowers of the tuft are larger and flat-faced.

Yellow pincushion can be grown from seed, preferably in full sun on sand or gravel. It is attractive when massed and can bloom up to eight months of the year. This plant is drought tolerant. 

The flowers attract pollinators.

Plant type

Annual herb

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 4 likely

Confirmed Likely

Common Eupithacia

Eupithecia miserulata

Spotted Straw Sun Moth

Heliothis phloxiphaga

Fall Webworm

Hyphantria cunea

Ni Moth

Trichoplusia ni