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Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia
Lasthenia californica
Lasthenia californica DC. ex Lindl.
California Goldfields
Asteraceae (Aster Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: LACA7
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
A low, slightly pubescent, slender, unbranched annual, 2-6 in. tall, with threadlike leaves and small, yellow, radiate flowers. A small, slender annual with reddish stems, very narrow opposite leaves, and a small golden-yellow flower head at the end of each branch. In better soils, the plant is stouter and reaches 16 in. in height.
On open areas with poor soils, where grass is sparse, this plant will form carpets of gold if moisture is ample. It is also sometimes placed in the genus Baeria. Spring Gold (Crocidium multicaule) looks very much like Goldfields, but has most leaves in a basal rosette. Those on the stem are alternate, and have tufts of hair in the axils.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: AnnualHabit: Herb
Size Notes: Up to about 16 inches tall.
Fruit: Fruit is a cypsela (pl. cypselae). Though technically incorrect, the fruit is often referred to as an achene.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: Jan , Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov , Dec
Distribution
USA: AZ , CA , MA , NM , ORNative Distribution: OR to AZ
Native Habitat: Open mesas & grasslands
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: SunSoil Description: Dry clays or sands.
Conditions Comments: This annual carpets stretches of open desert following wet winters.
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
National Wetland Indicator Status
| Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
| Status: | FACU | UPL | UPL |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Additional resources
USDA: Find Lasthenia californica in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Lasthenia californica in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Lasthenia californica
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-12-29Research By: TWC Staff