Blennosperma bakeri

Sonoma sunshine, Sonoma Sunshine

Family: Asteraceae · Type: annual · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered

Sonoma sunshine is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in northern Coast Ranges and southern San Francisco Bay Area in grassy swale margins and vernal pools at elevations of 20 to 40 meters. Flowering from February to April, this plant produces bright yellow ray flowers 5 to 7 millimeters long with distinctive red stigmas. Growing with delicate stems reaching 5 to 15 centimeters tall, it forms small clusters in wet seasonal habitats. Its leaves are primarily basal, sometimes featuring 2 to 3 small lobes, spreading in low, compact formations. The tiny fruits are approximately 3 to 4 millimeters long with a distinctive papillate surface.

Habitat: Grassy margins of swales, vernal pools

Bloom period: Feb-Apr

Elevation: 20-40 m

Bioregions: NCoRO, ne SnFrB (s Sonoma Co.).

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.