Lagophylla dichotoma
Forked hareleaf
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Lagophylla dichotoma (Forked hareleaf) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by often glandless distal leaves and zigzag stems.
Forked hareleaf is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in central Sierra Nevada foothills, eastern Sacramento Valley, and eastern San Joaquin Valley grasslands and woodland openings at elevations of 50 to 400 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces white flowers in small heads with ray flowers 4 to 13 millimeters long. Growing with zigzag stems 10 to 60 centimeters tall, it develops a delicate branching structure with main axis often difficult to distinguish. Its leaves range from green to glandular, with proximal leaves lacking glands and distal leaves often featuring distinctive purple, yellow, or white glandular elements. The fruit is dull with visible striations, characteristic of this delicate annual herb.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; key feature is often glandless distal leaves and zigzag stems
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassland, openings in woodland
Elevation: 50-400 m
Bloom period
Lagophylla dichotoma blooms Apr-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
How to tell it apart
vs Madia: Lagophylla has exactly 5 rays and completely naked fruits; Madia has variable ray numbers and bristled fruits.; vs Hemizonia: Lagophylla has exactly 5 rays and no seed bristles; Hemizonia has variable rays with bristles.; vs Calycadenia: Lagophylla has exactly 5 rays; Calycadenia typically has 1-8 rays with different arrangement.; vs Harmonia: Lagophylla has exactly 5 rays and naked fruits; Harmonia has 8-21 rays with seed scales.; vs Deinandra: Lagophylla has exactly 5 rays and naked fruits; Deinandra has variable rays with bristles.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lagophylla dichotoma native to California?
Yes. Lagophylla dichotoma is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lagophylla dichotoma bloom?
Lagophylla dichotoma blooms Apr-May.
What plant family does Lagophylla dichotoma belong to?
Lagophylla dichotoma is in the Asteraceae family, genus Lagophylla.
Is Lagophylla dichotoma rare or endangered?
Lagophylla dichotoma carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S2.
What habitat does Lagophylla dichotoma grow in?
Lagophylla dichotoma grows in Grassland, openings in woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.