Monoptilon sp.
Desert star, Desert Star
(c) Casey H. Richart, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Annual · Native
Monoptilon sp. (Desert star) is a native California annual in the Asteraceae family.
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 sp. native to California?
Yes. Monoptilon sp. is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Monoptilon sp. belong to?
Monoptilon sp. is in the Asteraceae family, genus Monoptilon.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.