Luina hypoleuca
Little leaf luina
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Luina hypoleuca (Little leaf luina) is a native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by Pacific Northwest species at southern range limit; adapted to rocky cliff habitats, sometimes on serpentine.
Little leaf luina is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, and southwestern San Francisco Bay Area in rocky places, cliffs, and mixed-evergreen forest habitats at elevations below 2,100 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces white flowers in heads with 11 to 15 individual flowers, arranged in clusters of 4 to 12 on peduncles 1 to 5 centimeters long. Growing 15 to 60 centimeters tall with erect stems, the plant develops a distinctive foliage pattern with leaves that are nearly sessile and approximately 2 to 6.5 centimeters long. Its leaves are uniquely textured, with smooth upper surfaces and densely white-woolly undersides, creating a soft, contrasting appearance. The flowers feature corollas 8 to 10 millimeters long with erect lobes 1 to 2 millimeters in length, giving the plant a delicate and intricate floral structure.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Pacific Northwest species at southern range limit; adapted to rocky cliff habitats, sometimes on serpentine
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky places, cliffs, sometimes on serpentine; mixed-evergreen forest, riparian
Elevation: < 2100 m
Outside California: to British Columbia
Bloom period
Luina hypoleuca blooms Jun-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Dimeresia: Luina has 10+ flowers per head and white-woolly leaf undersides; Dimeresia has only 2-3 flowers per head.; vs Ageratina: Luina has bright white woolly leaf undersides; Ageratina has smooth or only slightly hairy leaf undersides.; vs Lessingia: Luina has striking white-woolly leaf undersides on rocky cliffs; Lessingia lacks this white felt layer.; vs Brickellia: Luina has bright white woolly leaf undersides; Brickellia lacks this distinctive white felt coating.; vs Saussurea: Luina has white-woolly leaf undersides on rocky cliffs; Saussurea grows in mountain meadows without white leaf felt.
Frequently asked questions
Is Luina hypoleuca native to California?
Yes. Luina hypoleuca is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Luina hypoleuca bloom?
Luina hypoleuca blooms Jun-Sep.
What plant family does Luina hypoleuca belong to?
Luina hypoleuca is in the Asteraceae family, genus Luina.
What habitat does Luina hypoleuca grow in?
Luina hypoleuca grows in Rocky places, cliffs, sometimes on serpentine; mixed-evergreen forest, riparian.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.