Intermountain Flora recognizes the complexity of the genus but keeps the original genus designation of Chrysopsis.  Intermountain does not accept C. pumila as a distinct species.  Synthesis of the North American Flora recognizes seven species of Heterotheca in Colorado: H. canescens, H. fulcrata, H. pumila, H. stenophylla, H. subaxillariis, H. villosa (with 9 subspecies of H. villosa).

    This web site follows Weber's Colorado Flora, Western Slope, 3rd edition and therefore lists just Heterotheca pumila and Heterotheca villosa. 

    Heterotheca spreads easily and rapidly in hot dry exposed areas.  The two species shown below form numerous, eye-catching symmetrical clusters five-to-twenty inches tall and several feet in diameter.  Above the green leaves are an abundance of small, bright yellow flowers that cover the plant from late spring to fall.  Leaves frequently have a strong, pleasant pungency and vary from light and dark green to olive and sage green.

    "Hetero" is Greek for "different" and "theca" for "case", referring to the differing seeds of the ray and disk flowers.  This is an unusual characteristic, for other Sunflowers produce identical seeds from both the outer ray flowers and the inner disk flowers.

    Heterotheca villosa was first collected by Thomas Nuttall "on the Missouri" and was named Amellus villosus by Frederick Pursh in 1814.  Nuttall renamed the plant Chrysopsis villosa in 1836 and Shinners named it Heterotheca villosa in 1951.

    Heterotheca pumila was first collected by Edward Greene in Colorado in 1889 and was named Chrysopsis pumila by Greene in 1894.  It was renamed Heterotheca pumila by Semple in 1987.

    These plants have endured dozens of other name changes; fortunately they have retained their eye-arresting beauty and their pungent-sweet aroma no matter what they have been called. 

Heterotheca pumila.  Synonym: Chrysopsis pumila. (Dwarf Golden Aster)
Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)

Subalpine, alpine. Scree. Late spring, summer, fall.
Sneffels Highline Trail, August 4, 2004.

As the photograph above indicates, Heterotheca pumila likes rocky, sunny areas in the alpine and subalpine zones. It spreads easily and can line trails and cover steep mountainsides.  The lower leaves of H. pumila wither early and remain on the plant into the next season.  Flowers are usually one per stem, numerous on each plant, and just above the pleasantly aromatic leaves.  This can be a very abundant plant near and above tree-line.

Plants grow to over a foot tall and flowers are typically a bit over an inch in diameter, up to twice as large as those of H. villosa.

"Pumila" is Latin for "dwarf" but this Heterotheca commonly has larger leaves and flowers than Heterotheca villosa (below).

Heterotheca pumila.  Synonym: Chrysopsis pumila. (Dwarf Golden Aster)
Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)

Subalpine, alpine. Scree. Late spring, summer, fall.
Sneffels Highline Trail, August 4, 2004.

Heterotheca pumila.  Synonym: Chrysopsis pumila. (Dwarf Golden Aster)
Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)

Subalpine, alpine. Scree. Late spring, summer, fall.
Calico Trail, August 19, 2009.

Phyllaries are narrow, green (sometimes with red tinges), and in several overlapping rows.  Leaves are quite hairy.

Heterotheca villosa.  Synonym: Chrysopsis villosa.   (Golden Aster)
Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)

Semi-desert, foothills, montane. Openings, disturbed areas. Late spring, summer, fall.
Near Yellow Jacket Canyon, August 5, 2009.

Heterotheca villosa is abundant not only in the foothills and mountains, but also in vacant lots, farmyards, and along roadsides.  It needs little water, often blooms for three or four months, seeds itself readily (and spreads from roots), and has a marvelous spicy-sharp sage aroma.  The plant pictured is about seven inches tall and flowers are about a half inch in diameter.

"Villosa" is Latin for "hairy".

Heterotheca villosa.  Synonym: Chrysopsis villosa. (Golden Aster)
Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)

Semi-desert, foothills, montane. Openings, disturbed areas. Late spring, summer, fall.
Near Yellow Jacket Canyon, May 31, 2004.

Heterotheca villosa.  Synonym: Chrysopsis villosa. (Golden Aster)
Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)

Semi-desert, foothills, montane. Openings, disturbed areas. Late spring, summer, fall.
Near Yellow Jacket Canyon, May 31, 2004.

Leaf color variations, even in plants growing side by side, are very noticeable.

Range map © John Kartesz,
Floristic Synthesis of North America

State Color Key

Species present in state and native
Species present in state and exotic
Species not present in state

County Color Key

Species present and not rare
Species present and rare
Species extirpated (historic)
Species extinct
Species noxious
Species exotic and present
Native species, but adventive in state
Eradicated
Questionable presence

Range map for Heterotheca pumila  

Range map for Heterotheca villosa