Grindelia hallii
San diego gumplant, San Diego Gumplant
(c) Millie Basden, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Millie Basden · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Grindelia hallii (San diego gumplant) is a native California perennial in the Asteraceae family, recognized by basal leaves and fruit characteristics.
San diego gumplant is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in the Peninsular Ranges of San Diego County in meadows, dry slopes, and open pine/oak woodland at elevations of 800 to 1,700 meters. Flowering from July to October, this plant produces yellow flowers in hemispheric heads 7 to 10 millimeters in diameter with 12 to 20 ray flowers. Growing with erect, openly branched stems 20 to 60 centimeters tall, it develops a distinctive resinous foliage. Its leaves range from basal rosette to smaller lance-ovate forms, with yellow-green blades that are serrate and glabrous. The fruit is tan to brown, truncate with small triangular projections, topped with two pappus awns.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; distinguished by basal leaves and fruit characteristics
Habitat and range
Habitat: Meadows, dry slopes, open pine/oak woodland
Elevation: 800-1700 m
California counties: San Diego
Bloom period
Grindelia hallii blooms Jul-Oct.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Heterotheca: Grindelia has sticky gummy bracts; Heterotheca has dry, non-sticky bracts and spreading hairs on stems.; vs Agoseris: Grindelia has ray and disc flowers; Agoseris has only strap-shaped ligulate flowers (dandelion-like).; vs Erigeron: Grindelia has gummy sticky bracts; Erigeron has dry bracts and typically 50+ very narrow rays.; vs Solidago: Grindelia has large sticky-bracted heads; Solidago has tiny non-sticky heads in dense branched clusters.; vs Deinandra: Grindelia bracts curl backward and are gummy; Deinandra has spine-tipped bracts and is a tarweed.
Frequently asked questions
Is Grindelia hallii native to California?
Yes. Grindelia hallii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Grindelia hallii bloom?
Grindelia hallii blooms Jul-Oct.
Where in California does Grindelia hallii grow?
Grindelia hallii occurs in San Diego, at elevations of 800-1700 m.
What plant family does Grindelia hallii belong to?
Grindelia hallii is in the Asteraceae family, genus Grindelia.
Is Grindelia hallii rare or endangered?
Grindelia hallii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.