Leucosyris arida
Silver lake daisy, Silver Lake Daisy
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Leucosyris arida (Silver lake daisy) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by clear morphological differences in growth form and flower structure.
Silver lake daisy is a California native annual herb found in the Mojave Desert on riverbanks and sandy alkaline flats at elevations of 30 to 1,100 meters. Flowering from March to August, this plant produces white to lavender ray flowers in daisy-like heads 5 to 10 millimeters wide. Growing with multiple branched stems 5 to 30 centimeters tall that are glandular-puberulent and hairy, it has a delicate, spreading form. Its lower leaves are oblong with toothed or pinnately lobed edges, each lobe and tooth tipped with a small bristle, while upper leaves become progressively smaller and more appressed. The fruit is 1.4 to 1.9 millimeters long with a minimal or obscure pappus.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; clear morphological differences in growth form and flower structure
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Riverbanks, sandy alkaline flats, roadsides
Elevation: 30-1100 m
California counties: San Bernardino
Outside California: southern Nevada, southern Arizona, northern Mexico
Bloom period
Leucosyris arida blooms Mar-Aug.
Frequently asked questions
Is Leucosyris arida native to California?
Yes. Leucosyris arida is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Leucosyris arida bloom?
Leucosyris arida blooms Mar-Aug.
Where in California does Leucosyris arida grow?
Leucosyris arida occurs in San Bernardino, at elevations of 30-1100 m.
What plant family does Leucosyris arida belong to?
Leucosyris arida is in the Asteraceae family, genus Leucosyris.
What habitat does Leucosyris arida grow in?
Leucosyris arida grows in Uncommon. Riverbanks, sandy alkaline flats, roadsides.
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.