1. Yellow Pincushion – Chaenactis glabriuscula vars. glabruiscula, orcuttiana
(kee-NAK-tis glab-ree-YOO-skew-la)
Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)
Native to: Much of California S. to Baja; dry open places in grassland, coastal sage scrub, chaparral
and southern oak woodland. Also in open sandy places like coastal strand and coastal shrubland.
annual wildflower
mature height: 1-2 ft. mature width: 1 ft.
Slender, slightly branched herbaceous annual. Leave gray-green, alternate and in basal rosette.
Growth characteristics:
Blooms March-May. Flowers small (small, 1/4 - 1 in), golden-yellow, usually
several flowering heads per stem. Showy, particularly massed.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Lovely in wildflower prairies, native cottage gardens and mixed flower beds.
Good nectar plant.
Good also for containers, planters.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native yellow-flowering plants in sunflower family.
Attracts: Excellent nectar source for butterflies and other native pollinators.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun best; bright shade ok
Any well-drained, including sandy
Adequate water during growth/bloom. With hold water after blooming to promote
good seed production.
None needed; probably will tolerate lightly fertilized garden soils.
Tolerates seaside conditions; needs bare ground to reseed
Management:
Will naturally reseed on bare ground.
Propagation: from seed: No treatment required. Plant in pots or prepared garden beds in winter.
Seeds take 1-2 months to germinate.
Collect seeds from dried heads in summer.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 10,13
1/3/07
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