Carried by 12 nurseries
View Availability at NurseryData provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria
View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora
California Cudweed (Pseudognaphalium californicum) is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae (Sunflower) family. It is native to the west coast of North America from Washington to Baja California, where it is a member of the flora of many habitats, including chaparral. In California it is most often found near the coast from Sonoma County southward and in the Sierra foothills.
This is an annual or biennial herb with branching stems. Its green herbage is hairy, sticky and scented. The flower head is a wide cluster of flowers, each enveloped in ringed rows of bright white. The flowers are very long lasting when dried and are used in flower arrangements.
Classification is disputed between the genera Pseudognaphalium and Gnaphalium, but it is presently classified as Pseudognaphlium. Also, some sources refer to this plant as Pearly Everlasting, but that's actually the common name of a different species (Anaphlis margaritacea). California Cudweed would work best in an informal garden or wildscape. It re-seeds prolifically, so be prepared to pull seedlings from areas where it is not wanted.
Annual herb, Perennial herb
8 - 34 in Tall
2 ft Wide
Summer Semi-deciduous
Pleasant
Cream, White, Green
Winter, Spring, Summer
Full Sun
Very Low, Low
Max 1x / month once established
Moderate
Tolerates cold to -15° F
Fast, Medium, Slow
Very tolerant of various soils including clay, shale, sand, etc.
Tolerates saline soil.,Tolerates serpentine soil.,Tolerates sodic soil..
Soil PH: 5.0 - 8.0
Easily propagated from seed and readily re-seeds itself in the garden
4, 5, 6, 7*, 8, 9, 10, 14*, 15*, 16*, 17*, 18*, 19*, 20*, 21*, 22*, 23*, 24*
This is a pioneer species that is most often found in disturbed areas but also in openings in coastal sage scrub, chaparral or woodlands and along creekbeds.
Chaparral, Coastal Sage Scrub, Foothill Woodland, Mixed Evergreen Forest, Yellow Pine Forest
Works with a wide variety of other plants. In the wild it is often found with other pioneer species such as Lotus (Acmispon spp.), native grasses, and wildflowers such as California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica).
Butterflies and moths supported
0 confirmed and 14 likely
Orange Tortrix Moth
Argyrotaenia franciscana