Leptosyne gigantea
Giant tickseed, Giant Tickseed
(c) Adam J. Searcy, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Leptosyne gigantea (Giant tickseed) is a native California shrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by shrub growth form is unique in genus.
Giant tickseed is a California native shrub found in southern coastal regions including the Channel Islands, southern and central Coast Ranges on shrubby hillsides, coastal dunes, and sea bluffs at elevations below 500 meters. Flowering from January to May, this plant produces bright yellow flowers in large clusters with ray flowers 20 to 30 millimeters long. Growing as a substantial shrub with a single trunk 1 to 2 meters tall and 4 to 10 centimeters in diameter, it has an erect, fleshy form with few branches. Its distinctive leaves are tightly clustered at stem tips, deeply dissected into fine linear segments, creating a complex, mop-like tangle of withered leaves that persist through the dry season. The plant forms a striking coastal landscape element with its bold structure and intricate, feathery foliage.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; shrub growth form is unique in genus
Habitat and range
Habitat: shrubby hillsides, coastal dunes, sea bluffs
Elevation: < 500 m
California counties: Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, San Diego
Bloom period
Leptosyne gigantea blooms Jan-May.
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 gigantea native to California?
Yes. Leptosyne gigantea is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Leptosyne gigantea bloom?
Leptosyne gigantea blooms Jan-May.
Where in California does Leptosyne gigantea grow?
Leptosyne gigantea occurs in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, San Diego, at elevations of < 500 m.
What plant family does Leptosyne gigantea belong to?
Leptosyne gigantea is in the Asteraceae family, genus Leptosyne.
What habitat does Leptosyne gigantea grow in?
Leptosyne gigantea grows in shrubby hillsides, coastal dunes, sea bluffs.
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.