Taxon Report

Layia jonesii Gray

Jones' layia

Print Report


© 2011 Chris Winchell

Taxon Summary

Layia jonesii, commonly known as Jones' layia, is a annual herb in the Asteraceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Chaparral, and Valley and foothill grassland, growing at elevations from 5 to 400 meters. Layia jonesii is ranked 1B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

  Classification
Scientific Name:
 Layia jonesii Gray
Common Name:
 Jones' layia
Family: Asteraceae
Element Code: PDAST5N090
USDA Plants Symbol: LAJO
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History
Lifeform: annual herb
Blooming Period: Mar-May Mar-May
Elevation: 5-400 (15-1310)
General Habitats: Chaparral, Valley and foothill grassland
Microhabitat: Clay (sometimes), Serpentine (sometimes)
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status
CA Rare Plant Rank: 1B.2
Global Rank: G2
State Rank:
 S2
State List: None
Fed List: None
Other Status: BLM_S; SB_SBBG; USFS_S
CRPR Changes:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB
Total Occurrences: 25
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 0
   Good (B) 2
   Fair (C) 1
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 22

Location
California Endemic:  True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
San Luis Obispo (SLO)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Cambria (3512151), Cayucos (3512048), Lopez Mtn. (3512035), Morro Bay North (3512047), Morro Bay South (3512037), Pismo Beach (3512026), San Luis Obispo (3512036)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 5
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
3 12 %
Grazing 3 12%
Improper burning regime 2 8%
Military operations 2 8%
Non-native plant impacts 2 8%
Feral pigs 2 8%

Notes
Need current information on distribution and rarity. Threatened by grazing, non-native plants, military activities, feral pigs, frequent wildfires, and trampling.
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].