Hemizonia congesta subsp. luzulifolia
Photo: parent species Hemizonia congesta · (c) Bruce Homer-Smith, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Hemizonia congesta subsp. luzulifolia is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by 5 sympatric subspecies. Differentiation from subsp. congesta may require habitat and elevation context.
Hemizonia congesta is a California native annual found in northern coastal ranges, western Sierra Nevada foothills, Central Valley, and central western California in disturbed, open, or grassy sites, often on clayey soils at elevations below 1,000 meters. Flowering from March to December, this plant produces white ray flowers uniquely marked with purple veins in clustered heads. Growing with short to moderately tall stems that form panicle-like clusters, it develops shaggy, short-hairy leaves that are glandular, especially on distal portions. Its leaves are characterized by their uneven, somewhat shaggy hairiness, creating a textured appearance across the plant's surface. The fruit is small and compact, with a width slightly more than half its length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric subspecies. Differentiation from subsp. congesta may require habitat and elevation context
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed, open, or grassy sites, often clayey soils, serpentine
Elevation: < 1000 m
Bloom period
Hemizonia congesta subsp. luzulifolia blooms Mar-Dec.
How to tell it apart
vs Deinandra: Hemizonia rays often purple-veined beneath; Deinandra rays pure yellow without veining.; vs Madia: Hemizonia has paleae throughout disk; Madia has ray fruits enclosed by phyllaries.; vs Calycadenia: Hemizonia rays shallowly lobed; Calycadenia rays deeply split into spreading lobes.; vs Holocarpha: Hemizonia lacks pit glands on stalks; Holocarpha has distinctive pit-gland-tipped stalk bracts.; vs Anisocarpus: Hemizonia has chaff throughout flower disk; Anisocarpus typically lacks chaff scales.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hemizonia congesta subsp. luzulifolia native to California?
Yes. Hemizonia congesta subsp. luzulifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Hemizonia congesta subsp. luzulifolia bloom?
Hemizonia congesta subsp. luzulifolia blooms Mar-Dec.
What plant family does Hemizonia congesta subsp. luzulifolia belong to?
Hemizonia congesta subsp. luzulifolia is in the Asteraceae family, genus Hemizonia.
What habitat does Hemizonia congesta subsp. luzulifolia grow in?
Hemizonia congesta subsp. luzulifolia grows in Disturbed, open, or grassy sites, often clayey soils, serpentine.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Hemizonia congesta subsp. tracyi — Tracy's tarplant
- Hemizonia sp. — Hayfield tarweed
- Hemizonia congesta — Hayfield tarweed
- Hemizonia congesta subsp. calyculata — Mendocino tarplant
- Hemizonia congesta subsp. clevelandii
- Hemizonia congesta subsp. congesta — Congested-headed hayfield tarplant
- Hesperevax acaulis — Dwarf evax
- Hesperevax acaulis var. acaulis — Stemless evax
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.