Leptosyne californica
California coreopsis
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Annual · Native
Leptosyne californica (California coreopsis) is a native California annual in the Asteraceae family, recognized by thread-like entire leaves.
California coreopsis is a California native annual found in southern Sierra Nevada foothills, southern San Joaquin Valley, southern coastal interior ranges, southern California, Transverse Ranges, and desert regions in openings of chaparral and desert plains at elevations below 1,300 meters. Flowering from February to June, this plant produces yellow ray flowers 5 to 15 millimeters long with striking red-tipped involucre bracts. Growing with erect stems 5 to 30 centimeters tall, it forms slender, thread-like stems that rise singly or in small clusters. Its basal leaves are extremely narrow, about 2 to 10 centimeters long and only 0.3 to 0.5 millimeters wide, appearing almost cylindrical with occasionally short thread-like lobes. The fruit is distinctive, featuring obovate seeds 2.5 to 4.3 millimeters long, rusty-tan to light brown with red or black spots near the margins.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; thread-like entire leaves are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Openings in chaparral, desert plains, washes
Elevation: < 1300 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Kern, Inyo, Riverside, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Imperial, San Diego
Outside California: Arizona, Baja California
Bloom period
Leptosyne californica blooms Feb-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Monolopia: Two distinct bract layers (outer leafy, inner thin) vs. single series of equal bracts.; vs Glebionis: Fertile ray flowers (make seeds) vs. sterile rays in crown daisy.; vs Encelia: Herbaceous to shrubby but not exclusively woody vs. always woody shrub.; vs Lasthenia: Large flower heads on individual stems vs. small heads often clustered in goldfields.; vs Coreopsis: Alternate or basal leaves vs. opposite leaves in Coreopsis.
Frequently asked questions
Is Leptosyne californica native to California?
Yes. Leptosyne californica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Leptosyne californica bloom?
Leptosyne californica blooms Feb-Jun.
Where in California does Leptosyne californica grow?
Leptosyne californica occurs in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Kern, Inyo, Riverside, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura and other counties, at elevations of < 1300 m.
What plant family does Leptosyne californica belong to?
Leptosyne californica is in the Asteraceae family, genus Leptosyne.
What habitat does Leptosyne californica grow in?
Leptosyne californica grows in Openings in chaparral, desert plains, washes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.