Origin:
Native to California, and found throughout the Central Valley in low-lying areas.
Biology:
A winter annual that germinates in the fall and blooms profusely in the late winter and spring. Grows well in recently disturbed soils.
Identification:
Mature plants are as tall as 12 inches, with one or several stems arising from the base. Stems and leaves are fleshy and thick feeling, with the leaves long and narrow, growing to about 2 inches long and with smooth, parallel sides. Leaves grow opposite along the stem Flower heads are at the ends of the stems as single flowers or several flowers on short stalks. The flower is large and showy, bright yellow and open ray flowers and yellow disc flowers, and around 1 inch across. The ray flowers are oblong and may have several notches at the tip
Characteristicts Important to Control:
This is a winter annual with limited distribution, but it may occur in great numbers where it is found, making physical removal difficult to achieve.
