Taxon Report

Lessingia germanorum Cham.

San Francisco lessingia

Print Report

Taxon Summary

Lessingia germanorum, commonly known as San Francisco lessingia, is a annual herb in the Asteraceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Coastal scrub, growing at elevations from 25 to 110 meters. Lessingia germanorum is ranked 1B.1, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Seriously threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Lessingia germanorum Cham.
Common Name:	San Francisco lessingia
Family:	Asteraceae
Element Code:	PDAST5S010
USDA Plants Symbol:	LEGE
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	annual herb
Blooming Period: (Jun)Jul-Nov	(Jun)Jul-Nov
Elevation:	25-110 (80-360)
General Habitats:	Coastal scrub
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	1B.1
Global Rank:	G1
State Rank:	S1
State List:	CE
Fed List:	FE
Other Status:
CRPR Changes:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	5
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	0
Good (B)	1
Fair (C)	1
Poor (D)	0
None (X)	2
Unknown (U)	1

Location


California Endemic: True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
San Francisco (SFO), San Mateo (SMT)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
San Francisco North (3712274), San Francisco South (3712264)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	3
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	3	60 %
Development	2	40%
Non-native plant impacts	2	40%
Other	2	40%

Notes



Known from only four occurrences at the Presidio (SFO Co.), and one on San Bruno Mtn. (SMT Co.). Populations increasing 1994-1998 due to restoration efforts. Much reduced by urbanization; also threatened by trampling, sand quarrying, and non-native plants.
Threats:

Taxonomy:

Selected References

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 25 October 2025].