Layia pentachaeta subsp. albida
Photo: parent species Layia pentachaeta · (c) Justin Johnsen, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Layia pentachaeta subsp. albida is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by white rays distinguish from subsp. pentachaeta.
White layia is a California native annual found in southern Sierra Nevada foothills, Tehachapi, San Joaquin Valley, and southern Coast Ranges in grassy or open clayey and sandy soils at elevations of 70 to 900 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces white ray flowers with delicate, elongated petals. Growing with slender branching stems up to 30 centimeters tall, it forms a delicate, open structure in grassland environments. Its leaves are narrow and lance-shaped, typically 2 to 5 centimeters long, arranged alternately along the stems with a soft, slightly hairy texture.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 12 sympatric species; white rays distinguish from subsp. pentachaeta
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassy or open, clayey or sandy soils
Elevation: 70-900 m
Bloom period
Layia pentachaeta subsp. albida blooms Mar-May.
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 pentachaeta subsp. albida native to California?
Yes. Layia pentachaeta subsp. albida is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Layia pentachaeta subsp. albida bloom?
Layia pentachaeta subsp. albida blooms Mar-May.
What plant family does Layia pentachaeta subsp. albida belong to?
Layia pentachaeta subsp. albida is in the Asteraceae family, genus Layia.
What habitat does Layia pentachaeta subsp. albida grow in?
Layia pentachaeta subsp. albida grows in Grassy or open, clayey or sandy soils.
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.