Malacothrix californica

Malacothrix californica is a species of flowering plant in the aster family known by the common name California desertdandelion. It is native to California and Baja California, where it can be found in many types of dry mountain, desert, and valley habitat. It is an annual herb producing a flowering stem up to about 45 centimeters in maximum height. The toothed linear to lance-shaped leaves are mostly located around the base of the plant. The inflorescence is an array of flower heads lined with hairy phyllaries. The head bears rings of ray florets 1 or 2 centimeters long, usually yellow in color, sometimes white.