Layia pentachaeta subsp. pentachaeta
Photo: parent species Layia pentachaeta · (c) Justin Johnsen, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Layia pentachaeta subsp. pentachaeta is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by yellow rays distinguish from subsp. albida.
Layia pentachaeta is a California native annual found in the Sierra Nevada foothills, eastern San Joaquin Valley, southern Coast Ranges, and northern Transverse Ranges in grassy or open clayey and sandy soils at elevations of 100 to 1,200 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces bright yellow ray flowers that stand out against open grassland backgrounds. Growing with delicate, branching stems up to 30 centimeters tall, it forms an airy and graceful annual herb. Its leaves are narrow and deeply divided, providing a fine, lacy texture to the plant's overall appearance. In optimal conditions, it can form small clusters of distinctive yellow daisy-like flowers across its grassland habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; yellow rays distinguish from subsp. albida
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassy or open, clayey or sandy soils, sometimes serpentine
Elevation: 100-1200 m
Bloom period
Layia pentachaeta subsp. pentachaeta blooms Mar-Jun.
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. pentachaeta native to California?
Yes. Layia pentachaeta subsp. pentachaeta is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Layia pentachaeta subsp. pentachaeta bloom?
Layia pentachaeta subsp. pentachaeta blooms Mar-Jun.
What plant family does Layia pentachaeta subsp. pentachaeta belong to?
Layia pentachaeta subsp. pentachaeta is in the Asteraceae family, genus Layia.
What habitat does Layia pentachaeta subsp. pentachaeta grow in?
Layia pentachaeta subsp. pentachaeta grows in Grassy or open, clayey or sandy soils, sometimes serpentine.
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.