About Bombycilaena californica (Fisch. & C.A.Mey.) Holub
Bombycilaena californica, previously classified as Micropus californicus, is an Asteraceae plant species commonly called slender cottonweed. Its flowerheads look like very small cotton balls, rounded by the cottony white hairs that make up the pappus of each of its seeds. Individual plants are informally nicknamed Q-tips because they resemble cotton swabs. This species grows mainly in California, and also ranges into Oregon and northern Baja California. It is a native member of the vernal pool plant community.
