Lessingia micradenia var. micradenia
Tamalpais lessingia, Tamalpais Lessingia
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Lessingia micradenia var. micradenia (Tamalpais lessingia) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by stalked glands on phyllaries distinctive from var. glabrata.
Tamalpais lessingia is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in northern San Francisco Bay region, specifically on Mount Tamalpais in Marin County, growing in thin, gravelly serpentine outcrops and roadcuts at elevations of 100 to 400 meters. Flowering from July to October, this plant produces small white to pale lavender flowers with distinctive stalked glandular phyllaries. Growing with delicate stems typically 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it forms a slender, loosely branched annual herb. Its leaves feature marginal glands that may be present or absent, with fine, narrow blades that contribute to its delicate appearance. The plant's limited distribution and specific serpentine habitat make it a unique botanical treasure of the Mount Tamalpais ecosystem.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 12 species; stalked glands on phyllaries distinctive from var. glabrata
Habitat and range
Habitat: Thin, gravelly soil of serpentine outcrops, roadcuts
Elevation: 100-400 m
Bloom period
Lessingia micradenia var. micradenia blooms Jul-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. micradenia native to California?
Yes. Lessingia micradenia var. micradenia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lessingia micradenia var. micradenia bloom?
Lessingia micradenia var. micradenia blooms Jul-Oct.
What plant family does Lessingia micradenia var. micradenia belong to?
Lessingia micradenia var. micradenia is in the Asteraceae family, genus Lessingia.
Is Lessingia micradenia var. micradenia rare or endangered?
Lessingia micradenia var. micradenia carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
What habitat does Lessingia micradenia var. micradenia grow in?
Lessingia micradenia var. micradenia grows in Thin, gravelly soil of serpentine outcrops, 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.