Layia erubescens
blushing layia
(c) paulexcoff, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by paulexcoff · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Annual · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Layia erubescens (blushing layia) is a native California annual in the Asteraceae family.
Blushing layia is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in backdune and sandhill habitats at low elevations from 9 to 250 meters. Flowering from February to June, this plant produces white ray flowers that age to pink or deep rose, creating delicate white and blush-colored flower heads. Growing 15 to 82 centimeters tall with often strictly erect stems that are uniformly dark purple, it has a distinctively glandular and sweet-spicy scented growth habit. Its leaves are linear to narrowly elliptic, with proximal leaves featuring shallow to deep lobes that may be entire or toothed. The ray flowers measure 9 to 20 millimeters long, with yellow to brownish disk flower anthers adding subtle color to its delicate inflorescence.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 0 sympatric species; geographically isolated with distinctive aging flower color
Habitat and range
Habitat: Loose, fine sand of backdunes, sandhills
Elevation: 9-250 m
Bloom period
Layia erubescens blooms Feb-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Madia: Layia has prominent feathery seed bristles 2-4mm; Madia has tiny or no seed bristles.; vs Glebionis: Layia has feathery white seed plumes; Glebionis has yellow-orange rays and no seed plumes.; vs Deinandra: Layia has fluffy feathery seed bristles; Deinandra has straight, non-feathery bristles.; vs Monoptilon: Layia has 2-4mm feathery bristles; Monoptilon has shorter non-feathery bristles.; vs Hemizonia: Layia has prominent feathery seed plumes; Hemizonia has short non-feathery bristles or scales.
Frequently asked questions
Is Layia erubescens native to California?
Yes. Layia erubescens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Layia erubescens bloom?
Layia erubescens blooms Feb-Jun.
What plant family does Layia erubescens belong to?
Layia erubescens is in the Asteraceae family, genus Layia.
Is Layia erubescens rare or endangered?
Layia erubescens carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
What habitat does Layia erubescens grow in?
Layia erubescens grows in Loose, fine sand of backdunes, sandhills.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.