Lasthenia fremontii
Fremont's goldfields
(c) Adam J. Searcy, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lasthenia fremontii (Fremont's goldfields) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by often lobed leaves and distinctive awned pappus.
Fremont's goldfields is a California native annual found in the Cache Range foothills, northern Sierra Nevada foothills, and Central Valley in vernal pools and wet meadows at elevations below 700 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces bright yellow ray flowers 5 to 7 millimeters long in compact heads. Growing less than 35 centimeters tall with erect stems that are simple or branched from the base and slightly hairy. Its leaves are linear, 1 to 6 centimeters long, sometimes with 1 to 3 pairs of linear lobes, ranging from glabrous to sparsely hairy. The small fruits are club-shaped and generally covered in fine hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species; often lobed leaves and distinctive awned pappus
Habitat and range
Habitat: Vernal pools, wet meadows
Elevation: < 700 m
Bloom period
Lasthenia fremontii blooms Mar-May.
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 fremontii native to California?
Yes. Lasthenia fremontii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lasthenia fremontii bloom?
Lasthenia fremontii blooms Mar-May.
What plant family does Lasthenia fremontii belong to?
Lasthenia fremontii is in the Asteraceae family, genus Lasthenia.
What habitat does Lasthenia fremontii grow in?
Lasthenia fremontii grows in Vernal pools, wet meadows.
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.