Fremont's Pincushion
Chaenactis fremontii
Height: Typically 4 to 16 inches tall
Habitat: Open desert flats, sandy slopes, and creosote bush scrub
Elevation: Found below 4,500 feet
Range: Mojave and Sonoran Deserts—primarily in California, Arizona, Nevada, and parts of Baja California
Description:
Fremont's Pincushion is a soft, woolly annual wildflower that lights up the desert in early spring. Its small, white to pale pink flowers are packed into rounded heads that resemble tiny pincushions, sitting atop slender stems. The leaves are finely divided and covered in fine hairs, giving the plant a silvery appearance.
Uses:
Ecological: An important part of desert wildflower blooms, providing nectar for native bees and small pollinators.
Not widely used for food or medicine, but valued for its role in the desert’s spring bloom cycle.
Note:
Named after explorer John C. Fremont, this delicate wildflower is easy to miss—until it blooms in masses. It’s a gentle reminder that even in harsh places, the desert puts on a soft and subtle show after winter rains.