Lasthenia chrysantha
Alkali-sink goldfields, Alkali-Sink Goldfields
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Lasthenia chrysantha (Alkali-sink goldfields) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by distinctive fringed fruits and highly fused phyllaries.
Alkali-sink goldfields is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in southern Sacramento Valley and southern San Joaquin Valley bioregions in vernal pools and wet saline flats at elevations below 100 meters. Flowering from February to April, this plant produces bright yellow flowers in small heads with ray flowers 6 to 7 millimeters long that turn distinctively yellow when exposed to alkali solution. Growing to 28 centimeters tall with stems that are either simple or freely branched and glabrous or slightly hairy, it forms delicate compact clusters. Its leaves are linear, less than 8 centimeters long, entire, and either glabrous or slightly hairy. The fruit is small, 2 to 3 millimeters long, obovoid and flattened with a black color and fringed margins edged with white or straw-like curved hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species; distinctive fringed fruits and highly fused phyllaries
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Vernal pools, wet saline flats
Elevation: < 100 m
Bloom period
Lasthenia chrysantha blooms Feb-Apr.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 chrysantha native to California?
Yes. Lasthenia chrysantha is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lasthenia chrysantha bloom?
Lasthenia chrysantha blooms Feb-Apr.
What plant family does Lasthenia chrysantha belong to?
Lasthenia chrysantha is in the Asteraceae family, genus Lasthenia.
Is Lasthenia chrysantha rare or endangered?
Lasthenia chrysantha carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S2.
What habitat does Lasthenia chrysantha grow in?
Lasthenia chrysantha grows in Uncommon. Vernal pools, wet saline flats.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.