Lasthenia californica subsp. bakeri
Baker's goldfields, Baker's Goldfields
(c) Jamie Carter, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jamie Carter · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Lasthenia californica subsp. bakeri (Baker's goldfields) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by perennial habit with fleshy clustered roots diagnostic.
Baker's goldfields is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial herb found in central coastal California, including Mendocino, Sonoma, Marin, and San Luis Obispo counties in grassland and woodland habitats at elevations below 500 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces yellow ray flowers 5 to 16 millimeters long with distinctive bell-shaped involucres. Growing with erect stems that are simple or few-branched, it forms clusters of fleshy roots and delicate foliage. Its leaves are narrow and clustered, typically less than 2 millimeters wide and 2 to 21 centimeters long, forming a dense basal arrangement. The fruit is glabrous and silver-gray, often with 1 to 4 clear, brown, awl-like scales.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species; perennial habit with fleshy clustered roots diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassland, woodland
Elevation: < 500 m
Bloom period
Lasthenia californica subsp. bakeri blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Monolopia: Monolopia has alternate leaves; Lasthenia has opposite leaves throughout most of stem.; vs Eriophyllum: Eriophyllum is woolly-hairy; Lasthenia is smooth or only slightly hairy.; vs Ranunculus: Ranunculus has separate shiny petals and divided basal leaves; Lasthenia has composite flower heads.; vs Pseudobahia: Pseudobahia leaves are alternate above; Lasthenia leaves remain opposite throughout.; vs Blennosperma: Blennosperma has phyllaries fused into a cup; Lasthenia has separate overlapping phyllaries.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lasthenia californica subsp. bakeri native to California?
Yes. Lasthenia californica subsp. bakeri is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lasthenia californica subsp. bakeri bloom?
Lasthenia californica subsp. bakeri blooms May-Jun.
What plant family does Lasthenia californica subsp. bakeri belong to?
Lasthenia californica subsp. bakeri is in the Asteraceae family, genus Lasthenia.
Is Lasthenia californica subsp. bakeri rare or endangered?
Lasthenia californica subsp. bakeri carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1.
What habitat does Lasthenia californica subsp. bakeri grow in?
Lasthenia californica subsp. bakeri grows in Grassland, woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Lasthenia californica subsp. californica — California goldfields
- Lasthenia californica subsp. macrantha — Perennial goldfields
- Lasthenia chrysantha — Alkali-sink goldfields
- Lasthenia conjugens — Contra costa goldfields
- Lasthenia coronaria — Crowned or royal goldfields
- Lasthenia debilis — Greene's goldfields
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.