Monoptilon bellioides
Desert star
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Monoptilon bellioides (Desert star) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by larger overall size and broader desert distribution.
Desert star is a California native annual found in the Desert bioregion in sandy flats and washes at elevations from 60 meters below sea level to 1,450 meters. Flowering from January to May, this plant produces white ray flowers with white disk centers, individual flower rays 5 to 8.5 millimeters long. Growing with slender stems up to 25 centimeters tall, it forms delicate, low-spreading clusters. Its leaves are narrow and linear, 5 to 10 millimeters long, tapering to an obtuse or slightly pointed tip. The small fruit measures 1.5 to 2 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; distinguished by larger overall size and broader desert distribution
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy flats, washes
Elevation: -60-1450 m
Outside California: to southwestern Utah, western Arizona, northwestern Mexico
Bloom period
Monoptilon bellioides blooms Jan-May(Sep).
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 bellioides native to California?
Yes. Monoptilon bellioides is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Monoptilon bellioides bloom?
Monoptilon bellioides blooms Jan-May(Sep).
What plant family does Monoptilon bellioides belong to?
Monoptilon bellioides is in the Asteraceae family, genus Monoptilon.
What habitat does Monoptilon bellioides grow in?
Monoptilon bellioides 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.