Deinandra increscens subsp. increscens
(c) Casey H. Richart, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Deinandra increscens subsp. increscens is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by peduncle length diagnostic.
Deinandra increscens is a California native annual found in coastal and southern California bioregions including the central Coast, western and northern Santa Cruz Mountains, northern Santa Cruz Island, and northern Channel Islands in sandy or clayey grasslands, scrub openings, and disturbed sites at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering from April to November, this plant produces yellow flowers in panicle-like clusters with 8 to 13 ray flowers and 13 to 29 disk flowers. Growing up to one meter tall with branching stems, it forms distinctive panicle-like inflorescences with peduncles longer than the flower heads. Its leaves vary across the plant, with lower leaves potentially different from upper leaves, typical of many annual composite species. The flower heads feature overlapping peduncle bracts that cover less than three-quarters of the phyllary length, a subtle but distinctive characteristic of this subspecies.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species - peduncle length diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy or clayey soils (sometimes serpentine), grassland, openings in scrub or woodland, disturbed sites
Elevation: < 300 m
Bloom period
Deinandra increscens subsp. increscens blooms Apr-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 increscens subsp. increscens native to California?
Yes. Deinandra increscens subsp. increscens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Deinandra increscens subsp. increscens bloom?
Deinandra increscens subsp. increscens blooms Apr-Nov.
What plant family does Deinandra increscens subsp. increscens belong to?
Deinandra increscens subsp. increscens is in the Asteraceae family, genus Deinandra.
What habitat does Deinandra increscens subsp. increscens grow in?
Deinandra increscens subsp. increscens grows in Sandy or clayey soils (sometimes serpentine), grassland, openings in scrub or woodland, disturbed sites.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.