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California Goldfields

Scientific Name: Lasthenia californica DC. ex Lindl.
Synonym: Baeria chrysostoma ssp. hirsutula , Baeria chrysostoma var. gracilis , Baeria chrysostoma, Baeria chrysostoma ssp. gracilis , Baeria hirsutula, Lasthenia chrysostoma
Family: Asteraceae

Lasthenia californica, photo © Gary A. Monroe. North Table Mountain, Butte Co., CA. March 27, 2003

Sun Exposure: Full sun to part sun

Origin: Southwestern USA (Arizona, California, New Mexico, Oregon), Mexico, below 4500 feet elevation (1350 m)

Growth Habits: Annual, spreading, 2 to 10 inches tall (5-25 cm), 8 to 18 inches in spread (20-45 cm); opposite, narrowly linear leaves, clasping at the base

Watering Needs: Little to moderate water, grows taller with more water

Propagation: Seeds in autumn, self sows

The genus name probably comes from Lasthenia of Mantinea, a woman philosopher from ancient Greece mentioned by Plato. The name Goldfields refers to the golden carpets that masses of this flowers do in grassy fields of the West.

Blooming Habits:
The California Goldfields bear golden yellow daisy-like inflorescences, with 6 to 13 yellow rays, mid winter to late spring.

List of All the Plants | More in the Asteraceae family

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