Years ago, hiking in the Malibu CA region, I saw this very unusual inflorescence that looked like a dandelion but isn't like any that I've ever seen before or since. The yellow flowers in the corner of the picture might give a hint as to what plant this is from--but it's also possible that those are from a different plant. If anyone can help identify this plant, I'd really appreciate it!
OOOOOH! Could it be Achyrachaena mollis ("blow wives")?
Or maybe it is Uropappus lindleyi, aka "silver puffs". I think this is a better match (an image search for A. mollis shows very different seed head morphology).