Lasthenia glabrata subsp. glabrata
Yellow-ray goldfields, Yellow-Ray Goldfields
(c) Cliff Hutson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lasthenia glabrata subsp. glabrata (Yellow-ray goldfields) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by smooth fruits distinguish from subsp. coulteri.
Yellow-ray goldfields is a California native annual found in northern Coast Ranges, southern Sierra Nevada foothills, Central Valley, and central western California in saline areas and vernal pools at elevations below 550 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces bright yellow ray flowers in small compact heads. Growing with slender branching stems 5 to 20 centimeters tall, it forms delicate low-growing clusters across wet meadows and seasonal wetlands. Its leaves are narrow and linear, typically 2 to 10 millimeters long, arranged alternately along the stems. The fruit is smooth and lacks surface papillae, contributing to its distinctive appearance in grassland and wetland habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 19 sympatric species; smooth fruits distinguish from subsp. coulteri
Habitat and range
Habitat: Saline places, vernal pools
Elevation: < 550 m
Bloom period
Lasthenia glabrata subsp. glabrata 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 glabrata subsp. glabrata native to California?
Yes. Lasthenia glabrata subsp. glabrata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lasthenia glabrata subsp. glabrata bloom?
Lasthenia glabrata subsp. glabrata blooms Mar-May.
What plant family does Lasthenia glabrata subsp. glabrata belong to?
Lasthenia glabrata subsp. glabrata is in the Asteraceae family, genus Lasthenia.
What habitat does Lasthenia glabrata subsp. glabrata grow in?
Lasthenia glabrata subsp. glabrata grows in Saline places, vernal pools.
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.