Deinandra increscens subsp. villosa

Gaviota tarplant, Gaviota Tarplant

Family: Asteraceae · Type: annual · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered

Gaviota tarplant is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in northern Santa Clara and western Transverse Ranges, specifically from Gaviota to Point Conception in Santa Barbara County, inhabiting coastal bluffs and fields at elevations of 30 to 50 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces yellow flowers in compact heads with 8 to 15 ray flowers and distinctive clustered inflorescences. Growing 0.6 to 4.5 decimeters tall with branching stems, it forms compact clusters with peduncle bracts that overlap most of the phyllaries. Its leaves are arranged along the stems, contributing to the plant's delicate and intricate appearance. The compact flower clusters and limited elevation range make this tarplant a unique component of coastal California's rare native flora.

Habitat: Coastal bluffs, fields

Bloom period: Jun-Sep

Elevation: 30-50 m

Bioregions: n SCo (Gaviota to Point Conception, Santa Barbara Co.), w WTR (w Santa Ynez Mtns).

California counties: Santa Barbara

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.