Benitoa occidentalis
Benitoa
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Benitoa occidentalis (Benitoa) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by Only species in genus Benitoa, endemic to specific clay soil areas in central California.
Benitoa is a native annual herb found in southwestern central California in Fresno, Monterey, and San Benito counties, occurring in grasslands and foothill woodlands at elevations of 350 to 1,100 meters. Flowering from June to November, this plant produces yellow flowers with occasional red tints, forming radiate heads in open panicle-like clusters up to 10 millimeters long. Growing with erect, often stout stems 10 to 150 centimeters tall that are green and age to red, it has a strongly scented and densely glandular-hairy appearance. Its alternate leaves are sessile and variable, ranging from linear to lance-linear or oblanceolate, often curved and measuring 0.5 to 12 centimeters long, with entire or toothed margins. The fruit is 3 to 4 millimeters long, strigose, and mottled purple-brown with a deciduous pappus of 2 to 8 slender white bristles.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Only species in genus Benitoa, endemic to specific clay soil areas in central California
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassland, foothill woodland, vertic clay, occasionally serpentine
Elevation: 350-1100 m
Bloom period
Benitoa occidentalis blooms Jun-Nov.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
Frequently asked questions
Is Benitoa occidentalis native to California?
Yes. Benitoa occidentalis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Benitoa occidentalis bloom?
Benitoa occidentalis blooms Jun-Nov.
What plant family does Benitoa occidentalis belong to?
Benitoa occidentalis is in the Asteraceae family, genus Benitoa.
Is Benitoa occidentalis rare or endangered?
Benitoa occidentalis carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3S4.
What habitat does Benitoa occidentalis grow in?
Benitoa occidentalis grows in Grassland, foothill woodland, vertic clay, occasionally serpentine.
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.