The plant can generally be found on the
talus of mountain slopes, often in soils of volcanic origin.
Description
Hulsea vestita is a perennial herb growing a basal patch of thick leaves and stems up to a meter (40 inches) tall, but generally much shorter. The woolly, spoon-shaped leaves are gray-green and may have ruffled edges.[4]
The thick
flower heads have glandular, hairy green
phyllaries. The center of the daisylike head contains many long golden disc florets and a fringe of golden to reddish ray florets up to 2 centimeters (0.8 inches) long.[4]
Hulsea vestita ssp. gabrielensis (San Gabriel Mtns. sunflower) —
San Gabriel Mountains, other Transverse Ranges.[6]
Hulsea vestita ssp. inyoensis (Inyo hulsea, pumice alpinegold) —
Inyo Mountains, Death Valley N.P. ranges, and others in Inyo/Mono Counties & W. Nevada.[7]
Hulsea vestita ssp. parryi (Parry's alpinegold) —
San Bernardino Mountains, other Transverse & Peninsular ranges, Sierras.[8]