Yellow Pincushion

Yellow Pincushion is a petite but mighty annual herb, reaching up to 2 ft tall when in bloom, but only 6 inches wide. A highly variable species (5 recognized varieties), Yellow Pincushion has hairy, often cobwebby branching stems, and petite, sunny yellow blooms. It has a remarkably long bloom period, from winter to summer!

Native to dry open areas, alluvial scrub, and chaparral inland of the Bay Area and as far south as Baja. Yellow Pincushion is happiest with dry, well draining soil, and full sun. Perfect for a rock garden, pair with Dudleya, poppies, and buckwheats for year round interest.

Lifeform: Annual

Sun: Full Sun

Water: Dry, Light

Soil: Rocky, Sand

Other: Attracts Bees, Attracts Butterflies, Drought Tolerant

Container	4"
Ecological Value	Supports bees, caterpillars, and butterflies, likely host to four types of moths.
Ethnobotanical Uses	Ivilyuqaletem of the Cahuilla Nation grind parched seeds into flour and mix with other seeds to form a porridge.
Distribution	Native to much of California and Baja, growing in a wide variety of habitats. In the Bay Area, found in inland Alameda, Santa Clara, and Contra Costa counties.
Elevation	-109" – 11310"
Habitat	Dry open places, alluvial scrub
Communities	Chaparral, Coastal Sage Scrub, Coastal Strand, Foothill Woodland, Southern Oak Woodland, Valley Grassland, Yellow Pine Forest