Annuals, 30-100 cm. Stems ± solid. Leaves: proximal blades entire or toothed, faces pilose and stipitate-glandular. Heads in racemiform-paniculiform arrays (often narrow; side branches strict, short). Bracts subtending heads overlapping proximal 0-¹/2+ of each involucre or not. Phyllaries ± evenly stipitate-glandular, including margins and apices, usually with non-glandular, non-pustule-based hairs as well. Paleae in 1 series. Ray florets 13-20; laminae deep yellow, 4-7 mm. Disc florets 24-31, all or mostly bisexual; anthers reddish to dark purple. Pappi of 6-10 (often rufous and/or flecked), oblong to elliptic, fringed scales 0.7-1.5 mm. 2n = 26.

Flowering Aug-Nov. Moist openings in chaparral, streambeds, disturbed sites; of conservation concern; 70-1200 m; Calif.; Mexico (Baja California).

Deinandra floribunda is known from valleys and hills of the southern Peninsular Ranges, within ca. 15 km of the Mexican border.