Centromadia pungens subsp. laevis

Smooth tarplant, Smooth Tarplant

Centromadia pungens — parent species of Centromadia pungens subsp. laevis

Photo: parent species Centromadia pungens · (c) jayjt, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence

Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1

Centromadia pungens subsp. laevis (Smooth tarplant) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by lack of pappus, bristly margins, and palea tips.

Smooth tarplant is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in southern California coastal and Peninsular Range bioregions in open, poorly drained flats, grasslands, and disturbed sites at elevations of 90 to 500 meters. Flowering from April to September, this plant produces yellow flowers in dense, bristly heads with distinctive glandular characteristics. Growing with ascending to erect stems up to 60 centimeters tall, it forms spreading to compact clusters in low-lying areas. Its leaves have margins with bristly cilia and surfaces that are minutely glandular or nearly smooth, with midribs showing distinct bristly texture. The plant thrives in marginal habitats, often colonizing disturbed or waterlogged ground where other species struggle to establish.

Identification and appearance

Key characters: 4 sympatric species; key features are lack of pappus, bristly margins, and palea tips

Habitat and range

Habitat: Open, poorly drained flats, depressions, waterway banks and beds, grassland, disturbed sites

Elevation: 90-500 m

California counties: Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Contra Costa, Kern, Los Angeles, Merced, San Joaquin, Tulare, Yolo

Outside California: northern Baja California

Bloom period

Centromadia pungens subsp. laevis blooms Apr-Sep.

Conservation status

CNPS 1B.1

Frequently asked questions

Is Centromadia pungens subsp. laevis native to California?

Yes. Centromadia pungens subsp. laevis is native to California (recorded as native).

When does Centromadia pungens subsp. laevis bloom?

Centromadia pungens subsp. laevis blooms Apr-Sep.

Where in California does Centromadia pungens subsp. laevis grow?

Centromadia pungens subsp. laevis occurs in Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Contra Costa, Kern, Los Angeles, Merced, San Joaquin and other counties, at elevations of 90-500 m.

What plant family does Centromadia pungens subsp. laevis belong to?

Centromadia pungens subsp. laevis is in the Asteraceae family, genus Centromadia.

Is Centromadia pungens subsp. laevis rare or endangered?

Centromadia pungens subsp. laevis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S2.

Related species

Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.

All Centromadia species · All Asteraceae

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.