Layia pentachaeta
Encyclopedia
Layia pentachaeta is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family
known by the common name Sierra tidytips, or Sierra layia. It is endemic to California
, where it grows in a number of habitats in the central part of the state from the Sierra Nevada to the Tehachapi Mountains
.
This is an annual herb growing a thick stem up to a meter tall, but often remaining shorter. The stem is coated in glandular hairs whose exudate gives the plant a sharp lemon
like scent. The thin leaves are linear to lance-shaped, with the lower leaves lobed and approaching 11 centimeters in maximum length. The flower head
contains white or yellow ray florets and yellow disc florets with yellow anthers
. The fruit is an achene
; fruits on the disc florets often have a white bristly pappus
.
Asteraceae
The Asteraceae or Compositae , is an exceedingly large and widespread family of vascular plants. The group has more than 22,750 currently accepted species, spread across 1620 genera and 12 subfamilies...
known by the common name Sierra tidytips, or Sierra layia. It is endemic to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, where it grows in a number of habitats in the central part of the state from the Sierra Nevada to the Tehachapi Mountains
Tehachapi Mountains
The Tehachapi Mountains , regionally also called The Tehachapis, are a mountain range in the Transverse Ranges system of California in the Western United States...
.
This is an annual herb growing a thick stem up to a meter tall, but often remaining shorter. The stem is coated in glandular hairs whose exudate gives the plant a sharp lemon
Lemon
The lemon is both a small evergreen tree native to Asia, and the tree's ellipsoidal yellow fruit. The fruit is used for culinary and non-culinary purposes throughout the world – primarily for its juice, though the pulp and rind are also used, mainly in cooking and baking...
like scent. The thin leaves are linear to lance-shaped, with the lower leaves lobed and approaching 11 centimeters in maximum length. The flower head
Head (botany)
The capitulum is considered the most derived form of inflorescence. Flower heads found outside Asteraceae show lesser degrees of specialization....
contains white or yellow ray florets and yellow disc florets with yellow anthers
Stamen
The stamen is the pollen producing reproductive organ of a flower...
. The fruit is an achene
Achene
An achene is a type of simple dry fruit produced by many species of flowering plants. Achenes are monocarpellate and indehiscent...
; fruits on the disc florets often have a white bristly pappus
Pappus (flower structure)
The pappus is the modified calyx, the part of an individual disk, ray or ligule floret surrounding the base of the corolla, in flower heads of the plant family Asteraceae. The pappus may be composed of bristles , awns, scales, or may be absent. In some species, the pappus is too small to see...
.