Bahiopsis laciniata
San diego viguiera, San Diego Viguiera
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Bahiopsis laciniata (San diego viguiera) is a native California shrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by resinous coating and narrow leaf shape.
San diego viguiera is a California native shrub found in southern California Coast and Peninsular Ranges on coastal scrub and chaparral slopes at elevations of 90 to 750 meters. Flowering from February to August, this plant produces bright yellow ray flowers in heads 8 to 10 millimeters wide with distinctive ray flowers 6 to 12 millimeters long. Growing up to 2 meters in diameter with slender stems 60 to 130 centimeters tall, it develops a distinctive varnish-like resin covering its entire structure. Its alternate leaves are oblong to narrow lanceolate, 1 to 5 centimeters long, with shiny green surfaces that have a slightly rolled margin and prominent veins. The plant's fruit is small, 2 to 4 millimeters long, with long and short pappus scales providing additional textural interest.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; key features are resinous coating and narrow leaf shape
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal scrub, chaparral slopes
Elevation: 90-750 m
California counties: San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Ventura
Outside California: Baja California, western Sonora
Bloom period
Bahiopsis laciniata blooms Feb-Aug(Oct--Dec).
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
How to tell it apart
vs Encelia: Bahiopsis has large showy yellow ray petals; Encelia rays are absent or reduced and inconspicuous.; vs Hulsea: Bahiopsis is a woody desert shrub; Hulsea is herbaceous with glandular-sticky aromatic foliage.; vs Helianthus: Bahiopsis has woody persistent stems; Helianthus has soft herbaceous stems that die back.; vs Tagetes: Bahiopsis has rounded leaf bases; Tagetes has deeply divided feathery leaves with strong scent.; vs Brickellia: Bahiopsis has large yellow ray petals; Brickellia flowers are small disk-only with no rays.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bahiopsis laciniata native to California?
Yes. Bahiopsis laciniata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Bahiopsis laciniata bloom?
Bahiopsis laciniata blooms Feb-Aug(Oct--Dec).
Where in California does Bahiopsis laciniata grow?
Bahiopsis laciniata occurs in San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Ventura, at elevations of 90-750 m.
What plant family does Bahiopsis laciniata belong to?
Bahiopsis laciniata is in the Asteraceae family, genus Bahiopsis.
Is Bahiopsis laciniata rare or endangered?
Bahiopsis laciniata carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.