Bloomeria crocea
Common goldenstar, Common Goldenstar
(c) Adam J. Searcy, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Adam J. Searcy · licence
Family: Themidaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Bloomeria crocea (Common goldenstar) is a native California herb in the Themidaceae family, recognized by Single leaf; tall scape (15-70 cm); yellow perianth lobes abruptly spreading at base, brown midvein.
Common goldenstar is a California native perennial found in southern California coastal and mountain ranges in grassland and chaparral habitats. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces bright yellow flowers with brown midveins, clustered on tall scapes 15 to 70 centimeters high. Growing with a single slender leaf less than 30 centimeters long and 3 to 15 millimeters wide, it emerges from a bulb-like base. Its flowers feature perianth lobes that abruptly spread at the base, with yellow petals marked by distinctive brown central veins. The delicate yellow blossoms are arranged on long pedicels up to 6.5 centimeters in length, creating an elegant display in its native grassland habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Single leaf; tall scape (15-70 cm); yellow perianth lobes abruptly spreading at base, brown midvein
Habitat and range
California counties: San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Riverside, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Orange, Kern, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Monterey, Merced, Fresno, Stanislaus, San Benito, Kings, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, Tulare
How to tell it apart
vs Triteleia: Bloomeria has golden spreading stars; Triteleia has tubular flowers in purple, blue, white, or pale yellow.; vs Primula: Bloomeria grows from bulbs with grass-like leaves; Primula has basal rosettes of broad leaves.; vs Muilla: Bloomeria flowers are golden yellow; Muilla flowers are white.; vs Androstephium: Bloomeria has spreading star petals; Androstephium has tubular flowers.; vs Brodiaea: Bloomeria has golden spreading stars; Brodiaea has purple tubular flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bloomeria crocea native to California?
Yes. Bloomeria crocea is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Bloomeria crocea grow?
Bloomeria crocea occurs in San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Riverside, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Orange, Kern and other counties.
What plant family does Bloomeria crocea belong to?
Bloomeria crocea is in the Themidaceae family, genus Bloomeria.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.