Showy Tarweed
Madia elegans
Last reviewed: June 2026
Showy Tarweed (Madia elegans) is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs or cats (aspca.org, last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
12"–36" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
CA, NV, OR, WA
Pollinators
bees, butterflies
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Madia elegans (Common Madia or Elegant Tarweed) is a showy annual wildflower with bright yellow daisy-like blooms that open in the evening and close by midday. The plant grows in an upright form with slender stems and produces flowers from late spring through summer.
In an HOA neighborhood
Showy Tarweed is an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement. Maintenance level: moderate. Tidiness: 2 out of 5.
Works well in: mid zone, backyard only.
- Plant becomes sticky with resinous glands that have a strong odor
- Can look untidy after blooming
- May self-seed aggressively in garden settings
Wildlife value
Common Madia is highly attractive to native bees and butterflies, providing important nectar and pollen resources during summer months when other plants may not be blooming.
Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Does Showy Tarweed fit your yard? Open it in Pollinator Patch to check it against your sun, soil, and HOA-conscious filters.