Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

For other uses, see Desert Sunflower (disambiguation). Geraea canescens is also known as the desert sunflower, hairy desert sunflower, or desert gold. It is a dicot and annual of the Aster (Asteraceae) family. "Geraea" in its scientific name comes from the Greek geraios ("old man"), referring to the white hairs on the fruits.

Plant type

Annual herb

Size

3 ft Tall

Calscape icon
Color

Yellow

Flowering season

Winter, Spring

Sun

Full Sun

Water

Very Low

Ease of care

Moderate

Soil drainage

Fast

Propagation

For propagating by seed: Store fresh seeds from 1-2 wks. at 122°F to 5 mos. at 68°F before sowing (Capon and Van Asdall 1967).

Site type

Sandy desert soils

Plant communities

Creosote Bush Scrub

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

1 confirmed and 2 likely

Confirmed Likely

Corn Earworm Moth

Helicoverpa zea

Alfalfa Looper Moth

Autographa californica

California Patch

Chlosyne californica