White Layia, Tidy Tips
Layia glandulosaHeight: 4 to 16 inches tall
Habitat: Sandy or gravelly soils in open desert flats, slopes, and scrub
Elevation: Grows below 5,000 feet
Range: Found across the southwestern United States—California (especially the Mojave and Colorado Deserts), Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and into northern Mexico
Description:
White Layia, sometimes called Tidy Tips, is a cheerful-looking spring annual with bright white daisy-like flowers. The tips of the petals are often slightly notched, and the center disk is yellow, giving it a clean and eye-catching look—like nature’s version of a well-set table. The leaves are narrow and may have a sticky or glandular feel.
Uses:
Mostly known for its beauty and role in spring wildflower blooms. It’s an important early food source for pollinators like bees and small insects. Not used widely for food or medicine, but appreciated by wildflower watchers and desert gardeners.
Note:
Despite its delicate look, White Layia is well suited to desert life. It pops up after winter rains, makes a bright showing in early spring, then fades with the heat—like a brief but welcome smile across the desert floor.
