Deinandra increscens
Grassland tarweed
(c) Casey H. Richart, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Deinandra increscens (Grassland tarweed) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by long pappus scales and phyllary/peduncle ratio key.
Grassland tarweed is a California native annual found in grassland habitats. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces pale to deep yellow flowers with ray flowers 5 to 9.5 millimeters long and distinctive red to dark purple disk flower anthers. Growing with slender stems that are soft-hairy and sometimes stalked-glandular, it reaches heights typical of annual wildflowers. Its proximal leaves are pinnately lobed, covered in coarse or soft hairs that give the plant a textured appearance. The flower heads are tightly grouped or paired, with phyllaries 5 to 8.5 millimeters long and evenly covered in stalked glands.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; long pappus scales and phyllary/peduncle ratio key
Habitat and range
California counties: Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Merced, Monterey
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 increscens native to California?
Yes. Deinandra increscens is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Deinandra increscens grow?
Deinandra increscens occurs in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Merced, Monterey.
What plant family does Deinandra increscens belong to?
Deinandra increscens is in the Asteraceae family, genus Deinandra.
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.