Hypericum concinnum
Gold-wire
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Family: Hypericaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Hypericum concinnum (Gold-wire) is a native California subshrub in the Hypericaceae family, recognized by folded leaves and long spreading styles.
Gold-wire is a California native perennial found in southwestern Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, Cascade Range foothills, northern and central Sierra Nevada, southeastern Sacramento Valley, and San Francisco Bay Area in annual grasslands, foothill woodlands, and conifer forests at elevations of 30 to 1,600 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces golden-yellow flowers 10 to 15 millimeters long with black-dotted margins, typically arranged in clusters of 3 to 9 per stem. Growing with multiple slender stems 15 to 30 centimeters tall emerging from a woody base, it forms delicate, compact clusters. Its narrow leaves are 15 to 40 millimeters long, linear to lanceolate, often folded and sparsely marked with black dots. The fruit develops as a distinctive 6 to 7 millimeter three-lobed capsule containing dark green-brown seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; diagnostic folded leaves and long spreading styles
Habitat and range
Habitat: Annual grassland, foothill woodland, conifer forest, occasionally on serpentine or gabbro
Elevation: 30-1600 m
California counties: Butte, Mariposa, Amador, El Dorado, Nevada, Shasta, Lake, Mendocino, Tuolumne, Sonoma, Marin, Napa, Calaveras, Kern, Placer, Solano, Sacramento, Yuba, Humboldt, Stanislaus
Bloom period
Hypericum concinnum blooms May-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Euphorbia: Euphorbia has milky sap and tiny flowers in cups; Hypericum has clear sap and showy yellow flowers.; vs Lysimachia: Lysimachia has stamens separate, not bundled; Hypericum's stamens cluster into 3-5 distinct bunches.; vs Lonicera: Lonicera is a woody vine or shrub; Hypericum is herbaceous with opposite leaves.; vs Dendromecon: Dendromecon is a woody shrub with 4 petals; Hypericum is herbaceous with 5 petals.; vs Mentzelia: Mentzelia has rough, sandpapery leaves; Hypericum has smooth leaves with translucent dots.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hypericum concinnum native to California?
Yes. Hypericum concinnum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Hypericum concinnum bloom?
Hypericum concinnum blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Hypericum concinnum grow?
Hypericum concinnum occurs in Butte, Mariposa, Amador, El Dorado, Nevada, Shasta, Lake, Mendocino and other counties, at elevations of 30-1600 m.
What plant family does Hypericum concinnum belong to?
Hypericum concinnum is in the Hypericaceae family, genus Hypericum.
What habitat does Hypericum concinnum grow in?
Hypericum concinnum grows in Annual grassland, foothill woodland, conifer forest, occasionally on serpentine or gabbro.
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.