Pentachaeta lyonii
Lyon's pentachaeta
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
Pentachaeta lyonii (Lyon's pentachaeta) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by large size, numerous yellow rays, and hairy phyllaries.
Lyon's pentachaeta is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in central Southern California coastal regions, Santa Catalina Island, and western Transverse Ranges in coastal scrub, grassland, and chaparral openings at elevations below 400 meters. Flowering from March to August, this plant produces yellow ray flowers 3 to 8 millimeters long, arranged in heads with up to 36 flower clusters. Growing with slender stems 15 to 48 centimeters tall, the plant is notably hairy, particularly near the flower heads and stem nodes. Its leaves measure up to 5.5 centimeters long and 6 millimeters wide, with hairy upper surfaces and smooth undersides. The fruit is characterized by 8 to 12 pappus bristles that are slightly expanded at the base.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; key features are large size, numerous yellow rays, and hairy phyllaries
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal scrub, grassland, chaparral openings
Elevation: < 400 m
Bloom period
Pentachaeta lyonii blooms Mar-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
How to tell it apart
vs Lasthenia: Pentachaeta has only 1-5 female flowers per head; Lasthenia has many more female flowers.; vs Thymophylla: Pentachaeta is non-glandular and unscented; Thymophylla is strongly aromatic with glands.; vs Eriophyllum: Pentachaeta has thread-like delicate stems; Eriophyllum has sturdier stems and woolly coating.; vs Bebbia: Pentachaeta is tiny delicate annual; Bebbia is woody shrub with nearly leafless stems.; vs Hazardia: Pentachaeta is thread-like delicate annual; Hazardia is woody leafy shrub.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pentachaeta lyonii native to California?
Yes. Pentachaeta lyonii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Pentachaeta lyonii bloom?
Pentachaeta lyonii blooms Mar-Aug.
What plant family does Pentachaeta lyonii belong to?
Pentachaeta lyonii is in the Asteraceae family, genus Pentachaeta.
Is Pentachaeta lyonii rare or endangered?
Pentachaeta lyonii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Pentachaeta lyonii grow in?
Pentachaeta lyonii grows in Coastal scrub, grassland, chaparral openings.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Pentachaeta sp.
- Pentachaeta alsinoides — Tiny pygmy daisy
- Pentachaeta aurea — Golden chaetopappa
- Pentachaeta aurea subsp. allenii — Allen's pentachaeta
- Pentachaeta aurea subsp. aurea — Golden-rayed pentachaeta
- Pentachaeta bellidiflora — White-rayed pentachaeta
- Pericome caudata — Mountain tail leaf
- Pericome sp.
- Perityle emoryi — Emory's rock daisy
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.