Micropus californicus is a plant in the family Asteraceae which is known by the common name slender cottonweed. Its flowerheads resemble very small cotton balls, often rounded with cottony white hairs forming the pappus of each seed. The individual plants are known more informally as Q-tips due to their resemblance to the cotton swabs. It is found mostly in California, and into Oregon and northern Baja California. This plant is a resident of the vernal pool plant community.

Micropus californicus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Asteraceae
Genus:	Micropus
Species:	M. californicus
Binomial name
Micropus californicus Fisch. & C.A. Mey.
Synonyms
Bombycilaena californica

References

• C.Michael Hogan, ed. 2010. Micropus californicus. Encyclopedia of Life
• Jepson Manual Treatment

External links

• Species account and photo