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Pisapia, Robert J.

Layia platyglossa

Layia platyglossa (Fisch. & C.A. Mey.) A. Gray

Coastal Tidytips

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Synonym(s): Layia platyglossa ssp. campestris, Layia platyglossa var. breviseta, Layia ziegleri

USDA Symbol: LAPL

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

The branched, stout, succulent stem of this annual is prostrate and 4-28 in. long. Numerous 2 in. wide, daisy-like flowers rise from the branches above fuzzy, light-green leaves. The ray flowers have three-toothed, white tips contrasting with deep-yellow petal bases. Tufted, dandelion-seed-like fruits succeed flowering.

The seeds of this plant are a favorite of birds.

From the Image Gallery

9 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Size Notes: Stems prostrate, up to about 28 inches long.
Fruit: Fruit is a cypsela (pl. cypselae). Though technically incorrect, the fruit is often referred to as an achene.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Yellow
Bloom Time: Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: CA , MA , UT
Native Distribution: Bay Region of CA, s. to s. CA
Native Habitat: Grassy coastal flats

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Poor, dry, sandy loams.
Conditions Comments: Dependable and easy to grow. At the end of summer, birds are apt to devour all seed unless protected. Lean soil is necessary to encourage flowering and keep plants from becoming leggy.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Seeds eagerly consumed by birds.
Use Food: Seeds harvested by indigenous people.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Propagation

Description: Broadcast seed in fall or early spring. Seeds have temperature-related afterripening and also requrie light for germination.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Bibliography

Bibref 1218 - Tending the Wild: Native American Knowledge and the Management of California's Natural Resources (2006) Anderson, M. Kat

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.

Additional resources

USDA: Find Layia platyglossa in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Layia platyglossa in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Layia platyglossa

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-12-29
Research By: TWC Staff

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