Taxon Report

Deinandra arida (Keck) B.G. Baldwin

Red Rock tarplant

Print Report


© 2012 Neal Kramer

Taxon Summary

Deinandra arida, commonly known as Red Rock tarplant, is a annual herb in the Asteraceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Mojavean desert scrub (clay, and volcanic tuff), growing at elevations from 300 to 950 meters. Deinandra arida is ranked 1B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

  Classification
Scientific Name:
 Deinandra arida (Keck) B.G. Baldwin
Common Name:
 Red Rock tarplant
Family: Asteraceae
Element Code: PDAST4R010
USDA Plants Symbol: DEAR8
Synonyms/Other Names:
  • Hemizonia arida Keck

Ecology and Life History
Lifeform: annual herb
Blooming Period: Apr-Nov Apr-Nov
Elevation: 300-950 (985-3115)
General Habitats: Mojavean desert scrub
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status
CA Rare Plant Rank: 1B.2
Global Rank: G1
State Rank:
 S1
State List: CR
Fed List: None
Other Status: BLM_S; SB_CalBG/RSABG
CRPR Changes:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB
Total Occurrences: 6
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 1
   Good (B) 2
   Fair (C) 2
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 1

Location
California Endemic:  True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Kern (KRN)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Cantil (3511738), Saltdale NW (3511748)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 5
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
5 83 %
ORV activity 5 83%
Non-native plant impacts 2 33%
Mining 1 16%
Recreational use (non-ORV) 1 16%
Road/trail construction/maint. 1 16%

Notes
Known from fewer than ten occurrences near Red Rock Cyn. in the Mojave Desert. State-listed as Hemizonia arida; see this name in The Jepson Manual. See Aliso 4(1):109 (1958) for original description, and Novon 9:462-471 (1999) for revised nomenclature.
Threats:
Taxonomy:

Selected References

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 14 November 2025].