Deinandra minthornii
Santa susana tarplant, Santa Susana Tarplant
(c) Zack Abbey, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Zack Abbey · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Deinandra minthornii (Santa susana tarplant) is a native California shrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by subshrub habit and yellow anthers distinctive.
Santa susana tarplant is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native shrub found in southern Transverse Ranges, specifically the Santa Monica and Santa Susana Mountains, in chaparral and coastal scrub habitats at elevations of 200 to 800 meters. Flowering from June to November, this plant produces deep yellow flowers with ray petals 5.5 to 6.5 millimeters long, arranged in loose raceme or panicle-like clusters. Growing as a subshrub or shrub 15 to 100 centimeters tall with moderately hairy stems, it has a distinctive branching structure. Its lower leaves are pinnately lobed or toothed, covered in short coarse hairs and occasionally bearing stalked glands, creating a textured appearance. The plant's flower heads feature distinctive bracts that partially overlap the involucre and are covered in stalked glandular hairs, giving it a unique botanical character.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; subshrub habit and yellow anthers distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, coastal scrub, often on sandstone
Elevation: 200-800 m
Bloom period
Deinandra minthornii blooms Jun-Nov.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 minthornii native to California?
Yes. Deinandra minthornii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Deinandra minthornii bloom?
Deinandra minthornii blooms Jun-Nov.
What plant family does Deinandra minthornii belong to?
Deinandra minthornii is in the Asteraceae family, genus Deinandra.
Is Deinandra minthornii rare or endangered?
Deinandra minthornii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
What habitat does Deinandra minthornii grow in?
Deinandra minthornii grows in Chaparral, coastal scrub, often on sandstone.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.