Monoptilon bellidiforme
Small desert star
(c) Tim Messick, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Monoptilon bellidiforme (Small desert star) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by clear size differences in stems, leaves, and flowers.
Small desert star is a California native annual found in the Mojave Desert in sandy flats and washes at elevations of 500 to 1,450 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces white ray flowers with yellow disk centers, creating delicate daisy-like blooms about 1 centimeter wide. Growing with compact stems less than 6 centimeters tall, it forms low, spreading clusters across sandy desert landscapes. Its leaves are small and oblanceolate, measuring 4 to 10 millimeters long with rounded tips, creating a soft, understated green backdrop to its delicate flowers. The tiny fruit is approximately 1.5 to 2 millimeters long, contributing to this diminutive desert wildflower's subtle charm.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; clear size differences in stems, leaves, and flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy flats, washes
Elevation: 500-1450 m
Outside California: to southwestern Utah, western Arizona
Bloom period
Monoptilon bellidiforme blooms Mar-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Eriophyllum: Eriophyllum grows upright; Monoptilon forms ground-hugging mats or prostrate sprawls.; vs Layia: Layia grows upright with toothed or lobed leaves; Monoptilon sprawls flat with entire linear leaves.; vs Dimorphotheca: Dimorphotheca grows upright with fuzzy leaves; Monoptilon forms ground-hugging desert mats.; vs Blennosperma: Blennosperma has deeply divided lower leaves and grows in vernal pools; Monoptilon has entire leaves in deserts.; vs Bellis: Bellis forms upright rosettes in moist habitats; Monoptilon sprawls flat in dry desert sand.
Frequently asked questions
Is Monoptilon bellidiforme native to California?
Yes. Monoptilon bellidiforme is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Monoptilon bellidiforme bloom?
Monoptilon bellidiforme blooms Mar-Jun.
What plant family does Monoptilon bellidiforme belong to?
Monoptilon bellidiforme is in the Asteraceae family, genus Monoptilon.
What habitat does Monoptilon bellidiforme grow in?
Monoptilon bellidiforme grows in Sandy flats, washes.
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.