Lagophylla ramosissima
Branched lagophylla
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lagophylla ramosissima (Branched lagophylla) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by glandless stems, grayish leaves, and short rays.
Branched lagophylla is a California native annual found in the California Floristic Province (excluding Northern Coast, Channel Islands, and San Jacinto Mountains) and Modoc Plateau in grasslands, woodland openings, scrub, and forest areas at elevations below 1,800 meters. Flowering from April to October, this plant produces small white to yellow flowers in tightly grouped or open, panicle-like clusters with ray flowers 3 to 6 millimeters long. Growing 1 to 10 (occasionally 15) decimeters tall with a main stem that can be straight or slightly zigzag, it develops glandless stems with gray-tinged leaves. Its leaves are mostly glandless, with distal leaves bearing stalked glands that are typically white or yellow, sometimes golden-brown in color. The plant produces fruits that are dull to slightly shiny with weak striations, and exhibits a self-compatible reproductive strategy.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; key features are glandless stems, grayish leaves, and short rays
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassland, openings in scrub, woodland, forest
Elevation: < 1800 m
Outside California: to Washington, Montana, Nevada
Bloom period
Lagophylla ramosissima blooms Apr-Oct.
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 ramosissima native to California?
Yes. Lagophylla ramosissima is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lagophylla ramosissima bloom?
Lagophylla ramosissima blooms Apr-Oct.
What plant family does Lagophylla ramosissima belong to?
Lagophylla ramosissima is in the Asteraceae family, genus Lagophylla.
What habitat does Lagophylla ramosissima grow in?
Lagophylla ramosissima grows in Grassland, openings in scrub, woodland, forest.
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.