Layia carnosa

Beach layia

Family: Asteraceae · Type: annual · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Threatened

Beach layia is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in northern Coast and central Coast bioregions on coastal dunes at elevations below 70 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces white ray flowers 1.5 to 3.5 millimeters long with dark purple disk anthers in compact flower heads. Growing prostrate to erect with glandular stems 2 to 18 centimeters tall, it adapts well to the harsh coastal environment. Its fleshy leaves range from 3 to 45 millimeters long, with proximal leaves often partially lobed toward the midvein. The fruit has ray flowers with sparse hairs and a pappus of 24 to 32 white to brownish bristles.

Habitat: Coastal dunes

Bloom period: Apr-Jul

Elevation: < 70 m

Bioregions: n NCo, CCo

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.