Hazardia

Hazardia is a genus of flowering plants in the daisy family (Asteraceae). The genus comprises a small number of evergreen shrubs and subshrubs that are native to the western regions of North America and to various Pacific islands. Species often inhabit dry, sunny habitats such as coastal scrub, open woodlands, and rocky slopes. Leaves are typically tough and evergreen, with shapes that range from lanceolate to oblong. The inflorescences are heads arranged in branched cymes or panicles, with yellow flowers typical of many Asteraceae. Each head contains several tubular florets and is surrounded by involucral bracts; fruit is an achenet with a pappus that aids wind dispersal.

Taxonomy and relationship: Hazardia is placed within the family Asteraceae, in the subfamily Asteroideae and the tribe Heliantheae. Within this framework, the genus is considered related to other coastal or island-inhabiting genera in the same clade, reflecting adaptations to relatively dry and exposed environments.

Ecology and conservation: Hazardia species are primarily pollinated by insects, including native bees and butterflies. Several species have restricted geographic ranges and are sensitive to habitat loss, competition from invasive plants, and changes in fire regimes. A number of Hazardia taxa are considered of conservation concern, with ongoing efforts to document distributions, monitor populations, and assess threats. Research continues to refine species boundaries and understand ecological roles within their native ecosystems.