Taxon Report

Layia discoidea Keck

rayless layia

Print Report

Taxon Summary

Layia discoidea, commonly known as rayless layia, is a annual herb in the Asteraceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Chaparral, Cismontane woodland, and Lower montane coniferous forest, growing at elevations from 795 to 1585 meters. Layia discoidea is ranked 1B.1, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Seriously threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Layia discoidea Keck
Common Name:	rayless layia
Family:	Asteraceae
Element Code:	PDAST5N030
USDA Plants Symbol:	LADI4
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	annual herb
Blooming Period: May	May
Elevation:	795-1585 (2610-5200)
General Habitats:	Chaparral, Cismontane woodland, Lower montane coniferous forest
Microhabitat:	Alluvial Terraces, Serpentine, Talus
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	1B.1
Global Rank:	G2
State Rank:	S2
State List:	None
Fed List:	None
Other Status:	BLM_S; SB_CalBG/RSABG
CRPR Changes:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	43
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	8
Good (B)	21
Fair (C)	0
Poor (D)	0
None (X)	0
Unknown (U)	14

Location


California Endemic: True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Fresno (FRE), San Benito (SBT)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Ciervo Mtn. (3612045), Hepsedam Peak (3612037), Hernandez Reservoir (3612047), Idria (3612046), San Benito Mtn. (3612036), Santa Rita Peak (3612035)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	2
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	3	7 %
ORV activity	3	6%
Recreational use (non-ORV)	2	4%

Notes



Threatened by vehicles, and possibly by alteration of fire regimes. Similar to L. glandulosa. See Aliso 4:101-104 (1958) for original description.
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 26 October 2025].