Leaves (and peduncular bracts) villous or hirsute to hirtellous, coarsely stipitate-glandular (glands yellow). Involucres 2.5-6(-7) mm. Paleae sometimes with 2 purple lines (along inner edges of scarious margins). Ray laminae 2-4 mm. Anthers reddish to dark purple. 2n = 22.

Flowering Jun-Oct. Inner edges of salt marshes, coastal grasslands, vernal pool edges and beds, openings in coastal scrub, often ± saline or alkaline sites; of conservation concern; 0-200 m; Calif.; Mexico (Baja California).

Subspecies australis occurs along the southern coast of California. Natural, ± sterile hybrids with Deinandra fasciculata have been documented from Santa Barbara County (B. D. Tanowitz 1977).