Layia munzii
Munz's tidy-tips
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Layia munzii (Munz's tidy-tips) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by specialized alkaline clay habitat and dull fruits.
Munz's tidy-tips is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in the southern San Joaquin Valley in alkaline clay soils at elevations of 50 to 800 meters. Flowering from March to April, this plant produces yellow and white ray flowers 3 to 14 millimeters long with white tips and ray heads 5 to 10 millimeters in diameter. Growing 6 to 50 centimeters tall with decumbent to erect stems that are glandular, the plant has a delicate branching structure. Its leaves are linear to oblanceolate, with proximal leaves deeply lobed more than halfway to the midvein, creating a distinctive feathery appearance. The disk flowers feature dark purple anthers, adding visual contrast to the pale yellow and white ray petals.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; specialized alkaline clay habitat and dull fruits
Habitat and range
Habitat: Alkaline clay soils
Elevation: 50-800 m
Bloom period
Layia munzii blooms Mar-Apr.
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 munzii native to California?
Yes. Layia munzii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Layia munzii bloom?
Layia munzii blooms Mar-Apr.
What plant family does Layia munzii belong to?
Layia munzii is in the Asteraceae family, genus Layia.
Is Layia munzii rare or endangered?
Layia munzii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
What habitat does Layia munzii grow in?
Layia munzii grows in Alkaline clay soils.
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.