Lasthenia maritima
Maritime or seaside goldfields, Seaside Goldfields
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lasthenia maritima (Maritime or seaside goldfields) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by prostrate coastal habitat and fleshy blunt leaves diagnostic.
Maritime goldfields is a California native annual found in the northern and central Coast ranges on seabird nesting areas and offshore rocks at elevations below 100 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces bright yellow flowers in small heads with ray flowers 1 to 3 millimeters long. Growing with prostrate or decumbent stems less than 25 centimeters tall, it forms delicate branched clusters that spread close to the ground. Its leaves are fleshy and strap-shaped, ranging from 1 to 9 centimeters long, with smooth edges and blunt tips. The fruit is 2 to 3.2 millimeters long, covered in fine hairs and topped with 4 to 12 brown awns.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species; prostrate coastal habitat and fleshy blunt leaves diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Seabird nesting, roosting areas, generally offshore rocks and islands
Elevation: < 100 m
Outside California: to southwestern British Columbia
Bloom period
Lasthenia maritima blooms May-Jul.
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 maritima native to California?
Yes. Lasthenia maritima is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lasthenia maritima bloom?
Lasthenia maritima blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Lasthenia maritima belong to?
Lasthenia maritima is in the Asteraceae family, genus Lasthenia.
What habitat does Lasthenia maritima grow in?
Lasthenia maritima grows in Uncommon. Seabird nesting, roosting areas, generally offshore rocks and islands.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.