| | 1. Ligules 3–5.5 mm, pale yellow |
| L. ramosissima |
| | 2. Heads in dense, leafy-bracted clusters; branches 0–few, short, stout |
| subsp. congesta |
| | 2' Heads in open clusters or few at stem tips; branches generally many, long, slender |
| subsp. ramosissima |
| | 1' Ligules 8–13 mm, bright yellow |
| |
| | 3. Inflorescence spike- to panicle-like |
| L. glandulosa |
| | 3' Inflorescence open, generally forking cymes |
| |
| | 4. Fruit obovate, dull, many-veined, midvein obscure; phyllaries short-curved-ciliate; Sierra Nevada Foothills, e San Joaquin Valley, Inner South Coast Ranges |
| L. dichotoma |
| | 4' Fruit oblanceolate, glossy, midvein evident; phyllaries long-straight-ciliate; Inner North Coast Ranges, n Sierra Nevada Foothills (El Dorado Co.) |
| L. minor
|