Layia heterotricha
Encyclopedia
Layia heterotricha is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family
known by the common name pale yellow tidytips, or pale yellow layia.
, where it is known from several areas in the west-central part of the state, such as the Santa Monica Mountains
and lower San Joaquin Valley
.
s or banana
s. The leaves are oval-shaped, fleshy, and sometimes slightly toothed.
The flower head
contains white to pale yellow ray florets each up to 2.5 centimeters long, and many yellow disc florets with yellow anthers
. The fruit is an achene
; fruits on the disc florets often have a long 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 pale yellow tidytips, or pale yellow layia.
Distribution
It is endemic to CaliforniaCalifornia
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 is known from several areas in the west-central part of the state, such as the Santa Monica Mountains
Santa Monica Mountains
The Santa Monica Mountains are a Transverse Range in Southern California, along the coast of the Pacific Ocean in the United States.-Geography:...
and lower San Joaquin Valley
San Joaquin Valley
The San Joaquin Valley is the area of the Central Valley of California that lies south of the Sacramento – San Joaquin River Delta in Stockton...
.
Description
Layia heterotricha is is an annual herb producing a thick, erect stem to a maximum height near 90 centimeters. The stem and foliage are covered thinly in dark glandular hairs and the plant has a scent similar to appleApple
The apple is the pomaceous fruit of the apple tree, species Malus domestica in the rose family . It is one of the most widely cultivated tree fruits, and the most widely known of the many members of genus Malus that are used by humans. Apple grow on small, deciduous trees that blossom in the spring...
s or banana
Banana
Banana is the common name for herbaceous plants of the genus Musa and for the fruit they produce. Bananas come in a variety of sizes and colors when ripe, including yellow, purple, and red....
s. The leaves are oval-shaped, fleshy, and sometimes slightly toothed.
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 to pale yellow ray florets each up to 2.5 centimeters long, and many 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 long 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...
.