Layia chrysanthemoides, commonly known as Smooth Tidytips, is an annual herb endemic to California, where it is found in a variety of habitats including grasslands, vernal pools, and open areas within chaparral and coastal sage scrub communities. It typically grows up to 2 feet tall and has a spread of about 1 foot. The leaves are linear or lance-shaped, and the plant produces flower heads with white-tipped golden ray florets that encircle yellow disc florets with distinctive purple anthers, blooming from March to June. The fruit is an achene topped with a bristly pappus, aiding in wind dispersal.

Smooth Tidytips is valued for its cheerful, daisy-like flowers that add a splash of color to wildflower meadows and naturalistic plantings. It is often used in restoration projects and as a component in native wildflower mixes. This species is drought-tolerant once established and thrives in well-drained soils, requiring full sun exposure for optimal growth. While it is not commonly afflicted by serious pests or diseases, it can be outcompeted by invasive species or impacted by habitat loss.CC BY-SA 4.0