California Cottonrose

Filago californica

Native to:
Mexico, United States
California Cottonrose

📍 View on iNaturalist →

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Asteraceae
Genus:
Filago
Species:
Filago californica
USDA Symbol:
LOCA19

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Annual
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
30 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
mar,apr,may,jun
Bloom Colors:
white, yellow

Garden & Ecology Notes

Deer Resistant:
Yes
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Annual that quickly colonizes disturbed and post-fire areas from seed bank.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
pH:
6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
Commonly found in arid, open habitats

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
None required
Germination Time:
7–21 days
Notes:
Seeds germinate readily with autumn rains; light may enhance germination.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI