Lasthenia glabrata subsp. coulteri
Coulter's goldfields, Coulter's Goldfields
(c) Cliff Hutson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Lasthenia glabrata subsp. coulteri (Coulter's goldfields) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by distinctive papillate fruits separate it from subsp. glabrata.
Coulter's goldfields is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in northern Coast Ranges, southern Sierra Nevada foothills, Tehachapi, Central Valley, central western California, southern California coast, northern Channel Islands, Peninsular Ranges, and western Mojave Desert in saline areas and vernal pools at elevations below 1,000 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces bright yellow flowers in compact clusters with daisy-like heads. Growing with slender branching stems 5 to 30 centimeters tall, it spreads in delicate, low-growing formations across wetland margins. Its leaves are narrow and linear, typically 2 to 10 centimeters long, arranged alternately along the stems. The fruit is characterized by distinctive rusty or yellowish wart-like papillae covering its surface.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 20 sympatric species; distinctive papillate fruits separate it from subsp. glabrata
Habitat and range
Habitat: Saline places, vernal pools
Elevation: < 1000 m
Bloom period
Lasthenia glabrata subsp. coulteri blooms Apr-May.
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 glabrata subsp. coulteri native to California?
Yes. Lasthenia glabrata subsp. coulteri is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lasthenia glabrata subsp. coulteri bloom?
Lasthenia glabrata subsp. coulteri blooms Apr-May.
What plant family does Lasthenia glabrata subsp. coulteri belong to?
Lasthenia glabrata subsp. coulteri is in the Asteraceae family, genus Lasthenia.
Is Lasthenia glabrata subsp. coulteri rare or endangered?
Lasthenia glabrata subsp. coulteri carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S2.
What habitat does Lasthenia glabrata subsp. coulteri grow in?
Lasthenia glabrata subsp. coulteri grows in Saline places, vernal pools.
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.