About Malacothrix incana (Nutt.) Torr. & A.Gray
Malacothrix incana (Nutt.) Torr. & A.Gray is a perennial herb that grows as a leafy mound reaching a maximum height of around 70 centimeters. Plants can range from hairless to densely hairy. Its leaves have smooth edges or dull lobes, and leaves at the base of the stem are similar in appearance to leaves growing further up the stem. The inflorescence is an array of flower heads lined with hairless phyllaries. Its yellow ray florets measure one to two centimeters long. This species is a coastal dune endemic that is only found in the U.S. state of California. It grows on mainland California in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, and also on the Channel Islands of San Miguel, San Nicolas, Santa Cruz, and Santa Rosa. Some of the dune habitats where this plant grows have been damaged. Hybrids with other Malacothrix species may occur where dunes transition into areas with typical soil. This species was previously recorded growing at Silver Strand beach in San Diego, far south of its current known range, but it is now locally extinct at this site due to habitat loss.
