Deinandra pentactis
Salinas river tarweed
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Deinandra pentactis (Salinas river tarweed) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by 5 rays/6 discs with swollen-based hairs distinctive.
Salinas river tarweed is a California native annual herb found on the western edge of the San Joaquin Valley, southwestern San Francisco Bay, and central South Coast Ranges in grasslands, open woodlands, and disturbed areas at elevations of 200 to 900 meters. Flowering from April to October, this plant produces deep yellow ray flowers 3 to 5 millimeters long with reddish-purple disk anthers in open, panicle-like clusters. Growing 40 to 75 centimeters tall with erect, glandular and hairy stems that branch widely, it develops a distinctive appearance in open habitats. Its lower leaves are pinnately lobed or toothed, covered in sharp and coarse hairs, with occasional glandular surfaces that contribute to its rough texture. The plant has an intriguing reproductive strategy, with disk flowers that are mostly staminate and featuring 5 to 8 fringed pappus scales.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; 5 rays/6 discs with swollen-based hairs distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassland, open woodland, disturbed areas
Elevation: (0)200-900 m
Bloom period
Deinandra pentactis blooms Apr-Oct.
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 pentactis native to California?
Yes. Deinandra pentactis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Deinandra pentactis bloom?
Deinandra pentactis blooms Apr-Oct.
What plant family does Deinandra pentactis belong to?
Deinandra pentactis is in the Asteraceae family, genus Deinandra.
What habitat does Deinandra pentactis grow in?
Deinandra pentactis grows in Grassland, open woodland, disturbed areas.
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.