Data 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.

Plant type

Annual herb, Perennial herb

Size

8 - 34 in Tall
2 ft Wide

Dormancy

Summer Semi-deciduous

Fragrance

Pleasant

Calscape icon
Color

Cream, White, Green

Flowering season

Winter, Spring, Summer

Sun

Full Sun

Water

Very Low, Low

Summer irrigation

Max 1x / month once established

Ease of care

Moderate

Cold tolerance

Tolerates cold to -15° F

Soil drainage

Fast, Medium, Slow

Soil description

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

Propagation

Easily propagated from seed and readily re-seeds itself in the garden

Sunset Zones

4, 5, 6, 7*, 8, 9, 10, 14*, 15*, 16*, 17*, 18*, 19*, 20*, 21*, 22*, 23*, 24*

Site type

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.

Plant communities

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).

Bats
Bees
Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 14 likely

Confirmed Likely

Orange Tortrix Moth

Argyrotaenia franciscana

Clepsis fucana

Cremastobombycia grindeliella

Diastictis sperryorum