The species as a whole is known from less than 2,000 individuals scattered between about 15 subpopulations. It is unlikely that any of these subpopulations contains more than 250 individuals. The typical variety occurs in S.F.B. Morse Botanical Reserve, Point Lobos Reserve and along the coast in Mendocin and north-west Sonoma Counties; while var abramsiana is confined to the Santa Cruz Mountains. The coastal populations are sometimes known as var. pygmaea.