How much sun does Short Woollyheads need?

Short Woollyheads grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Short Woollyheads bloom?

Short Woollyheads blooms in June, July, August, and September.

Where is Short Woollyheads native?

Short Woollyheads (Psilocarphus brevissimus) is native to CA, ID, MT, NV and 4 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

What pollinators does Short Woollyheads attract?

Short Woollyheads draws bees, beetles, and flies.

Is Short Woollyheads HOA-friendly?

Short Woollyheads takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Short Woollyheads

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Psilocarphus brevissimus

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Short Woollyheads (Psilocarphus brevissimus) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

1"–4" H × 1"–4" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

CA, ID, MT, NV and 4 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles, flies

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 445 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

Short woollyheads is a tiny annual wildflower that forms low mats of woolly, silvery foliage. This diminutive native produces small, inconspicuous flower heads from summer through early fall and thrives in dry, sunny locations with minimal care.

In an HOA neighborhood

Short Woollyheads takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Extremely small size makes it nearly invisible in landscaping
Annual nature means gaps when plants don't return
Can appear weedy or unkempt to unfamiliar observers

Wildlife value

The small flowers attract various pollinators including native bees, beetles, and flies during its extended blooming period from June through September.

Common questions

How much sun does Short Woollyheads need?: Short Woollyheads grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Short Woollyheads bloom?: Short Woollyheads blooms in June, July, August, and September.
Where is Short Woollyheads native?: Short Woollyheads (Psilocarphus brevissimus) is native to CA, ID, MT, NV and 4 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does Short Woollyheads attract?: Short Woollyheads draws bees, beetles, and flies.
Is Short Woollyheads HOA-friendly?: Short Woollyheads takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

Ready to grow Short Woollyheads? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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