Ancistrocarphus keilii

Santa ynez groundstar, Santa Ynez Groundstar, Santa Ynez groundstar, Santa Ynez groundstar

Family: Asteraceae · Type: annual · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1

Santa ynez groundstar is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in southern Central Coast and southwestern Santa Barbara County in sandy chaparral bordering oak woodland at elevations of 40 to 130 meters. Flowering from March to April, this plant produces small white to tan flowers in tight clusters with delicate, nearly invisible disk. Growing with compact stems less than 10 centimeters tall, it thrives nestled under shrubs in sparse, protected environments. Its leaves are distinctive, spoon-shaped and small, measuring 8 to 10 millimeters long with a yellow to tan base that expands into a three-veined structure. The plant forms dense groupings with intricate flower heads that measure just 2.5 to 3.5 millimeters across, creating a subtle yet fascinating botanical display.

Habitat: Sandy soils, chaparral bordering oak woodland, under shrubs

Bloom period: Mar-Apr

Elevation: 40-130 m

Bioregions: s CCo/SCoRO, sw SCoRO (sw Santa Barbara Co.).

California counties: Santa Barbara

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.