Gilmania luteola
Golden-carpet gilmania
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Gilmania luteola (Golden-carpet gilmania) is a native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by Monotypic genus endemic to Death Valley region, representing unique evolution in extreme desert conditions.
Golden-carpet gilmania is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native annual found in the Death Valley region of Inyo County in clay habitats at elevations of 10 to 500 meters. Flowering from February to May, this plant produces distinctive yellow flowers in small clusters 1 to 2 millimeters long. Growing as a low-spreading plant 3 to 12 centimeters tall with a rounded form up to 15 centimeters in diameter, it forms delicate ground-hugging mats. Its leaves grow in whorls of three, with blades 5 to 15 millimeters long and 3 to 8 millimeters wide, typically glabrous or sparsely hairy. The fruit develops as a small brown, obconic structure approximately 1.5 to 2 millimeters long with a curved embryo.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Monotypic genus endemic to Death Valley region, representing unique evolution in extreme desert conditions
Habitat and range
Habitat: Clay
Elevation: 10-500 m
California counties: Inyo
Bloom period
Gilmania luteola blooms Feb-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
How to tell it apart
vs Eriogonum: Gilmania has leaves in whorls of 3 and flowers with no involucre at all; Eriogonum has alternate or basal leaves and flowers seated in a cup-like involucre.; vs Goodmania: Gilmania flowers lack any involucre and its leaves are whorled in 3s; Goodmania flowers sit within a whorl of awned involucral bracts and its leaves are opposite.; vs Oxytheca: Gilmania has no involucre and 3-whorled leaves; Oxytheca subtends its flower clusters with awn-tipped, funnel- to tube-shaped involucres.; vs Nemacaulis: Gilmania is a decumbent yellow-flowered Death Valley annual with 3-whorled cauline leaves; Nemacaulis forms woolly flower heads above a basal rosette of leaves.; vs Chorizanthe: Gilmania has smooth yellow perianths in open cyme-like clusters; Chorizanthe encloses flowers in ribbed, spine-toothed cylindric involucres, often in dense heads.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gilmania luteola native to California?
Yes. Gilmania luteola is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Gilmania luteola bloom?
Gilmania luteola blooms Feb-May.
Where in California does Gilmania luteola grow?
Gilmania luteola occurs in Inyo, at elevations of 10-500 m.
What plant family does Gilmania luteola belong to?
Gilmania luteola is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Gilmania.
Is Gilmania luteola rare or endangered?
Gilmania luteola carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S2S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.