Scalebud (Yellow Tackstem)
Anisocoma acaulisHeight: Low-growing, usually 2 to 10 inches tall
Habitat: Open desert flats, sandy or gravelly soils, often in creosote bush scrub
Elevation: Found below 5,000 feet
Range: Southwestern United States—especially California (Mojave and Colorado Deserts), Nevada, Arizona, and into northern Mexico
Description:
Scalebud is a small, ground-hugging annual with a rosette of lobed, gray-green leaves at the base. Its bright yellow flowers look a bit like miniature dandelions and rise on slender, leafless stems. The buds are covered with tiny, overlapping bracts that resemble scales—hence the name “Scalebud.”
Uses:
Primarily appreciated for its appearance during the spring bloom. It’s not widely used in traditional medicine or food, but it helps support pollinators like bees and small insects in the desert.
Note:
Though it's easy to miss because of its size, Scalebud brings a splash of yellow to otherwise bare desert ground. It thrives after winter rains and fades quickly with the return of dry heat.
Photo taken at Joshua Tree National Park