Leptosyne calliopsidea
Leafy stemmed coreopsis
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Leptosyne calliopsidea (Leafy stemmed coreopsis) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by height, leafy stems, and bell-shaped involucre are key.
Leafy stemmed coreopsis is a California native annual found in southwestern San Joaquin Valley, San Francisco Bay Area, south coastal regions, Transverse Ranges, and western Mojave Desert in dry grassy areas and desert habitats at elevations of 100 to 1,100 meters. Flowering from February to June, this plant produces yellow ray flowers 10 to 35 millimeters long with white disk flowers, creating distinctive daisy-like heads. Growing 10 to 40 centimeters tall with erect, simple or few-branched stems that are glabrous, it develops a delicate, upright form. Its leaves are 1 to 5 centimeters long, intricately divided into narrow segments with fine, grooved surfaces, ranging from basal to alternate configurations along the stem. The fruit develops as tan or brown ovate structures with smooth wings, creating delicate seed-bearing heads that persist after flowering.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; height, leafy stems, and bell-shaped involucre are key
Habitat and range
Habitat: Desert, dry grassy areas
Elevation: 100-1100 m
California counties: Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Merced, Fresno, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Riverside, Ventura, Monterey, San Benito, Kings
Bloom period
Leptosyne calliopsidea 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 calliopsidea native to California?
Yes. Leptosyne calliopsidea is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Leptosyne calliopsidea bloom?
Leptosyne calliopsidea blooms Feb-Jun.
Where in California does Leptosyne calliopsidea grow?
Leptosyne calliopsidea occurs in Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Merced, Fresno, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and other counties, at elevations of 100-1100 m.
What plant family does Leptosyne calliopsidea belong to?
Leptosyne calliopsidea is in the Asteraceae family, genus Leptosyne.
What habitat does Leptosyne calliopsidea grow in?
Leptosyne calliopsidea grows in Desert, dry grassy areas.
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.