Lagophylla minor
Lesser hareleaf
(c) Don Loarie, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lagophylla minor (Lesser hareleaf) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by small size, zigzag habit, and shiny non-striate fruits.
Lesser hareleaf is a California native annual found in northern Sierra Nevada foothills in El Dorado County, growing in openings of chaparral and woodland on serpentine at elevations of 70 to 900 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces white flowers with ray petals 7 to 13 millimeters long in panicle-like clusters. Growing 8 to 30 centimeters tall with a meandering, zigzag main stem that is glandless or sparingly glandular, it displays an irregular branching pattern. Its leaves range from green proximal leaves that are glandless to distal leaves with purple and occasional yellow glands, creating a subtle color variation. The fruit is notable for its shiny surface, lacking striations.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; distinguished by small size, zigzag habit, and shiny non-striate fruits
Habitat and range
Habitat: Openings in chaparral, woodland, on serpentine
Elevation: 70-900 m
Bloom period
Lagophylla minor blooms Apr-Jun.
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 minor native to California?
Yes. Lagophylla minor is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lagophylla minor bloom?
Lagophylla minor blooms Apr-Jun.
What plant family does Lagophylla minor belong to?
Lagophylla minor is in the Asteraceae family, genus Lagophylla.
What habitat does Lagophylla minor grow in?
Lagophylla minor grows in Openings in chaparral, woodland, on serpentine.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.