Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Malacothrix glabrata is a species of dicotyledonous flowering plant known generally as the smooth desert dandelion or desert dandelion. The species is native to the western United States, excluding much of the Pacific Northwest, and into northern Mexico. M. glabrata is typically 5 to 15 inches tall with a 1.5 to 2.5 inch flower head. Its fragrant, daisy-like flowers are in shades of yellow or white, and undeveloped flowers have a red "button" in the center of the flower head.

Plant type

Annual herb

Size

5 - 16 in Tall

Calscape icon
Color

Yellow, White

Flowering season

Spring

Sun

Full Sun

Ease of care

Moderate

Soil drainage

Fast

Sunset Zones

1, 2, 3*, 7*, 8*, 9*, 10*, 11, 14*, 15*, 16*, 18*, 19*, 20*, 21*, 22, 23

Site type

Gravelly soils, open places

Plant communities

Creosote Bush Scrub, Joshua Tree Woodland, Shadscale Scrub

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

1 confirmed and 3 likely

Confirmed Likely

Heliolonche pictipennis

Alfalfa Looper Moth

Autographa californica

Cucullia comstocki

Heliolonche joaquinensis