Lessingia micradenia var. glabrata
Smooth lessingia
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Lessingia micradenia var. glabrata (Smooth lessingia) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by few flowers and lack of stalked glands distinctive.
Smooth lessingia is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in southern San Francisco Bay region in Santa Clara County, specifically on serpentine outcrops and gravelly roadcuts at elevations of 100 to 500 meters. Flowering from August to October, this plant produces small yellow to white flowers in compact heads approximately 3 to 5 millimeters long. Growing with slender stems up to 30 centimeters tall, it forms delicate branching structures with an open, somewhat sparse growth habit. Its leaves are characterized by smooth margins without stalked glands, with narrow, linear to lance-shaped blades that are relatively small and sparse along the stems. The plant's distinctive habitat on serpentine soils and its fine, delicate structure make it a unique component of California's specialized native plant communities.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 12 species; few flowers and lack of stalked glands distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Serpentine outcrops, gravelly roadcuts
Elevation: 100-500 m
Bloom period
Lessingia micradenia var. glabrata blooms Aug-Oct.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 micradenia var. glabrata native to California?
Yes. Lessingia micradenia var. glabrata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lessingia micradenia var. glabrata bloom?
Lessingia micradenia var. glabrata blooms Aug-Oct.
What plant family does Lessingia micradenia var. glabrata belong to?
Lessingia micradenia var. glabrata is in the Asteraceae family, genus Lessingia.
Is Lessingia micradenia var. glabrata rare or endangered?
Lessingia micradenia var. glabrata carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
What habitat does Lessingia micradenia var. glabrata grow in?
Lessingia micradenia var. glabrata grows in Serpentine outcrops, gravelly roadcuts.
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.