Common Name(s):
Pentachaeta lyonii, Lyon’s pentachaeta, Lyon’s pygmydaisy
Phonetic Spelling:
pen-ta-KEE-ta LIE-on-ee-eye
Description:
This is an annual herb of the sunflower family characterized by yellow flower heads that bloom from March through August. It has a thin and hairy stem that can reach up to 48 cm and has elliptical stems spreading wide. They thrive in areas with lots of sunlight exposure, and can produce up to 1,000 seeds even in dry conditions.
Distribution/Location:
They are native to Southern California, grassland habitats.
Environmental Concerns:
Habitat loss due to urban development is the largest threat to this species, while invasive plant introductions have also altered the ecosystem to be disadvantageous regarding gene flow, pollinator/keystone species abundance, and fires. They are currently listed as an endangered species in California and all other areas (1B): it is very important that we mitigate impact of urbanization and refrain from picking these beautiful plants.
Citations:
https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Plants/Endangered/Pentachaeta-lyonii
Leave a Reply