Chaenactis macrantha is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family known by the common names bighead dustymaiden and Mojave pincushion.

It is native to the Great Basin and the southwestern deserts of the United States, in California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, southwestern Idaho, and southeastern Oregon.

[1] It grows in dry, open habitat with gravelly, sandy soils, often calcareous or alkaline in nature.

[2] Chaenactis macrantha is an annual herb growing one or more branching stems to 30 - 35 centimeters (12-14 inches) in maximum height.

The flower head is lined with woolly phyllaries which have recurved tips.