Bloomipedia
Chinchweed (Pectis papposa)
Photo: Bob Miller via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Chinchweed

Pectis papposa

Chinchweed (Pectis papposa) is a flowering plant in the Asteraceae family, native in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly September–December across the U.S.

Native to Arizona

Chinchweed is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. In Arizona it's most often seen in bloom in September–November.

6states where USDA records it
1,267AZ sightings*
5,447U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Arizona

Quick look

Pectis papposa is a North American species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. Common names include cinchweed, common chinchweed, many-bristle chinchweed, and many-bristle fetid-marigold.

  • It belongs to the Asteraceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a annual life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 6 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as native to Arizona. NatureServe
  • In Arizona, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in September–November. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 1,267 research-grade sightings of it in Arizona, ranking #77 among the 132 flowers on our Arizona list. iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

In Arizona, most flowering sightings come in September–November.

Flowering records by month in Arizona (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (255 records)

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
Arizona
Not listed Not on Arizona Native Plant Law protected plants (Ariz. Admin. Code R3-3 Art. 11, App. A, eff. Feb. 2, 2025). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Arizona. AAC R3-3 App. A
Rare elsewhere
No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list.

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records chinchweed in 6 states.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Utah.

Arizona counties with USDA records: Cochise, Coconino, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Pima, Pinal, Yavapai, Yuma.

Names, range and relatives

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 38 counties across 6 states; the most are in Arizona (12), Nevada (8), California (6).

More from the Asteraceae family (212 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Common yarrow, Goldenrods, White snakeroot, Sunflowers, Chicory, Black-eyed Susan, Bull thistle, Common dandelion.

More Arizona flowers

Brittlebush (Encelia farinosa)

Brittlebush

Encelia farinosa

Native

🌼 Blooms in AZ: January–December
Stinknet (Oncosiphon pilulifer)

Stinknet

Oncosiphon pilulifer

🌼 Blooms in AZ: March–May
Desert marigold (Baileya multiradiata)

Desert marigold

Baileya multiradiata

Native

🌼 Blooms in AZ: March–May

Sources