Layia jonesii
Jones' layia, Jones' Layia
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Layia jonesii (Jones' layia) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by distinctive 2-seriate rays and shiny fruits.
Jones' layia is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in southern Central Coast and central Southern Coastal Range of California in open serpentine or clayey slopes at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces yellow and white ray flowers 5 to 10 millimeters long with white tips, arranged in heads 4 to 8 millimeters wide. Growing 7 to 55 centimeters tall with generally purple-streaked stems that are glandular in texture, it has a distinctive branching form. Its leaves are linear to lanceolate, with proximal leaves having lobes extending more than halfway to the midvein, measuring less than 7 centimeters long. The ray fruits are glabrous and shiny, with disk flowers featuring dark purple anthers and white, ciliate pappus scales.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; distinctive 2-seriate rays and shiny fruits
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open serpentine or clayey slopes
Elevation: < 300 m
Bloom period
Layia jonesii blooms Mar-May.
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 jonesii native to California?
Yes. Layia jonesii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Layia jonesii bloom?
Layia jonesii blooms Mar-May.
What plant family does Layia jonesii belong to?
Layia jonesii is in the Asteraceae family, genus Layia.
Is Layia jonesii rare or endangered?
Layia jonesii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
What habitat does Layia jonesii grow in?
Layia jonesii grows in Open serpentine or clayey slopes.
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.