Scientific Family
Asteraceae
Other common names
California chicory
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Similar species
Rafinesquia neomexicana
Height
4 to 30 inches
Riparian
No
Single stem containing a milky sap which becomes branched in the upper half of the plant.
This species can be distinguished from the only other Rafinesquia species by the tips of the achene exceeding the body of the achene; pappus bristles wholly plumose, barbs straight, not tangled; shorter ray flowers surpassing phyllaries by 5-7mm.
Habitat
Prefers open places in sage scrub, chapparal, desert and woodlands. Often the first plant to establish after a fire.
Plant Community
Desert Scrub
Disturbed Areas
Interior Chaparral
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Low elevation
3000
High elevation
4500
Flower Characteristics
Each plant produces many white flowerheads. Floweheads have only ray flowers that are often rose-tinged on the underside.
Flower color
White
Flower shape
Daisy or dandelion-like
Tubular
No
First bloom month
April
Last bloom month
June
Flower clusters
None
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves are most numerous at the base with very few on the stems.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Smooth to hairy with a beak and bristles.
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit color
Light brown
Seeds germinate more readily in the presence of burned wood.