Holocarpha virgata subsp. virgata
Photo: parent species Holocarpha virgata · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Holocarpha virgata subsp. virgata is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by rigid straight branches and red to dark purple anthers.
Slender tarweed is a California native annual herb found in the northern Coast Ranges, southern California Ranges, northern and central Sierra Nevada Foothills, Central Valley, San Francisco Bay Area, central and southern Coast Ranges, central and southern California Coast, and Peninsular Ranges at elevations up to 800 meters. Flowering from May to November, this plant produces yellow flowers with brownish centers in compact clusters atop rigid branches. Growing with straight, somewhat rigid stems that range from delicate to moderately branched, it forms an open, airy structure typical of California grassland annuals. Its leaves are relatively narrow and sparse, contributing to the plant's delicate appearance. In late summer, the plant develops small, dry fruits that help disperse its seeds across its native grassland habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; key features are rigid straight branches and red to dark purple anthers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassland
Elevation: < 800(1100) m
Bloom period
Holocarpha virgata subsp. virgata blooms May-Nov.
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 subsp. virgata native to California?
Yes. Holocarpha virgata subsp. virgata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Holocarpha virgata subsp. virgata bloom?
Holocarpha virgata subsp. virgata blooms May-Nov.
What plant family does Holocarpha virgata subsp. virgata belong to?
Holocarpha virgata subsp. virgata is in the Asteraceae family, genus Holocarpha.
What habitat does Holocarpha virgata subsp. virgata grow in?
Holocarpha virgata subsp. virgata grows in Grassland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Holocarpha heermannii — Heermann's tarweed
- Holocarpha macradenia — Santa cruz tarplant
- Holocarpha obconica — San joaquin tarweed
- Holocarpha sp. — Tarweed
- Holocarpha virgata — Narrow tarplant
- Holocarpha virgata subsp. elongata — Graceful tarplant
- Holozonia filipes — Whitecrown
- Holozonia sp.
- Hulsea algida — High mountain hulsea
- Hulsea brevifolia — Shortleaved hulsea
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.