Lessingia hololeuca
Woolly-headed lessingia
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 3
Lessingia hololeuca (Woolly-headed lessingia) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by large woolly heads and lavender flowers distinctive.
Woolly-headed lessingia is a California native annual herb found in southern North Coast Ranges, southwestern Sacramento Valley, San Francisco Bay Area, and northern South Coast Ranges, typically growing in coastal scrub, chaparral, and grassland habitats at elevations of 10 to 600 meters. Flowering from June to October, this plant produces lavender flowers in heads 8 to 13 millimeters long with darker flower tubes. Growing with decumbent to erect stems 5 to 60 centimeters tall that are tan and long-shaggy-hairy, it develops a distinctive appearance. Its basal leaves are petioled and persistent, while cauline leaves are reduced to small lanceolate or awl-shaped bracts covered in tomentose hair. The plant's soft, cobwebby tomentose phyllaries with green or purplish tips further distinguish this delicate annual.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 12 species; large woolly heads and lavender flowers distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal scrub, chaparral, grassland, roadsides, occasionally on serpentine or alkali soil
Elevation: 10-600 m
Bloom period
Lessingia hololeuca blooms Jun-Oct.
Conservation status
CNPS 3
How to tell it apart
vs Palafoxia: Lessingia fruits tiny (2-4mm); Palafoxia fruits massive (10-15mm) - check seed size first; vs Pectis: Pectis has opposite leaves with oil glands; Lessingia has alternate leaves without glands; vs Deinandra: Deinandra flower heads very gummy/sticky; Lessingia merely hairy or minutely glandular; vs Stephanomeria: Stephanomeria has milky sap and all ligulate flowers; Lessingia has clear sap and disk flowers; vs Epilobium: Epilobium has 4 petals in a cross pattern; Lessingia has typical composite flower heads
Frequently asked questions
Is Lessingia hololeuca native to California?
Yes. Lessingia hololeuca is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lessingia hololeuca bloom?
Lessingia hololeuca blooms Jun-Oct.
What plant family does Lessingia hololeuca belong to?
Lessingia hololeuca is in the Asteraceae family, genus Lessingia.
Is Lessingia hololeuca rare or endangered?
Lessingia hololeuca carries California Rare Plant Rank 3, state rank S2S3.
What habitat does Lessingia hololeuca grow in?
Lessingia hololeuca grows in Coastal scrub, chaparral, grassland, roadsides, occasionally on serpentine or alkali soil.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.