Holocarpha virgata
Narrow tarplant
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Holocarpha virgata (Narrow tarplant) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by red to purple anthers distinguish from some relatives.
Narrow tarplant is a California native annual found in annual grassland habitats at elevations from 10 to 500 meters. Flowering from May to November, this plant produces yellow flowers with distinctive heads featuring 3 to 8 ray flowers and 9 to 25 disk flowers with reddish to dark purple anthers. Growing 20 to 120 centimeters tall with stems notably covered in stalked glandular hairs, the plant has a branching structure that creates raceme- or spike-like flower clusters. Its leaves are linear to narrowly lance-shaped, arranged alternately along the stems with minimal pubescence. The flower heads are obconic to bell-shaped, with phyllaries featuring 5 to 20 gland-tipped outgrowths that contribute to the plant's distinctive appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated but range unclear; red to purple anthers distinguish from some relatives
How to tell it apart
vs Deinandra: Holocarpha has pit-gland-tipped stalk bracts; Deinandra stalk bracts lack pit glands.; vs Madia: Holocarpha has pit glands on stalk bracts; Madia lacks these distinctive pit glands.; vs Hemizonia: Holocarpha has pit-gland-tipped stalk bracts; Hemizonia stalk bracts lack pit glands.; vs Heterotheca: Holocarpha has yellow rays and pit-gland bracts; Heterotheca lacks pit glands, different flower structure.; vs Centromadia: Holocarpha has pit-gland-tipped stalk bracts; Centromadia lacks pit glands on bracts.
Frequently asked questions
Is Holocarpha virgata native to California?
Yes. Holocarpha virgata is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Holocarpha virgata belong to?
Holocarpha virgata is in the Asteraceae family, genus Holocarpha.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.