Deinandra corymbosa
Coastal tarweed
(c) Barbara Banfield, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Barbara Banfield · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Deinandra corymbosa (Coastal tarweed) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by high ray flower count is distinctive.
Coastal tarweed is a California native annual found in northern coastal bioregions including coastal and central California in grasslands, dunes, scrub openings, and disturbed sites at elevations below 600 meters. Flowering from March to November, this plant produces bright deep yellow flowers in small heads with ray flowers 4 to 8 millimeters long. Growing 15 to 100 centimeters tall with slender branching stems, it has a distinctive glandular and soft-hairy appearance. Its lower leaves are pinnately lobed, covered in coarse to soft hairs and sometimes bearing stalked glands. The disk flowers have unusual dark purple to red anthers, creating a striking contrast with the bright yellow ray flowers.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; high ray flower count is distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassland, openings in scrub or woodland, dunes, disturbed sites
Elevation: < 600 m
California counties: Monterey, Sonoma, Mendocino, Napa, San Mateo, Contra Costa, Alameda, Marin, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, Santa Clara, San Francisco, Kern, Santa Barbara, Humboldt, Fresno
Bloom period
Deinandra corymbosa blooms Mar-Nov.
How to tell it apart
vs Hemizonia: Deinandra rays pure yellow; Hemizonia rays often purple-veined beneath.; vs Holocarpha: Deinandra stalk bracts lack pit glands; Holocarpha has distinctive pit-gland tips.; vs Madia: Deinandra ray fruits with beaks; Madia ray fruits enclosed by phyllaries, different appearance.; vs Eriophyllum: Deinandra is resinous/sticky; Eriophyllum is woolly-hairy, not sticky.; vs Layia: Deinandra lacks ray pappus scales; Layia has prominent white/tan pappus bristles on ray flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Deinandra corymbosa native to California?
Yes. Deinandra corymbosa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Deinandra corymbosa bloom?
Deinandra corymbosa blooms Mar-Nov.
Where in California does Deinandra corymbosa grow?
Deinandra corymbosa occurs in Monterey, Sonoma, Mendocino, Napa, San Mateo, Contra Costa, Alameda, Marin and other counties, at elevations of < 600 m.
What plant family does Deinandra corymbosa belong to?
Deinandra corymbosa is in the Asteraceae family, genus Deinandra.
What habitat does Deinandra corymbosa grow in?
Deinandra corymbosa grows in Grassland, openings in scrub or woodland, dunes, disturbed sites.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.