Leptosiphon chrysanthus subsp. chrysanthus
Photo: parent species Leptosiphon chrysanthus · (c) Diana, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Leptosiphon chrysanthus subsp. chrysanthus is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by yellow corolla tube and lobes separate it from subsp. decorus.
Golden linanthus is a California native annual found in northern Western Transverse Ranges and desert regions in pinyon-pine and oak woodlands at elevations below 2,000 meters. Flowering from March to June, this delicate plant produces bright yellow flowers with a deeper yellow or maroon throat. Growing with slender stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it forms small, compact clusters in open woodland areas. Its finely divided leaves are typically small and feathery, creating a soft, airy texture around the vivid yellow blooms. The flower's two-toned yellow and maroon coloration makes this small annual a distinctive feature of its woodland and desert habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; yellow corolla tube and lobes separate it from subsp. decorus
Habitat and range
Habitat: Pinyon-pine/oak/juniper woodland, desert flats
Elevation: < 2000 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Kern, Ventura, Inyo, Riverside, San Diego
Outside California: to Utah, New Mexico, Baja California
Bloom period
Leptosiphon chrysanthus subsp. chrysanthus blooms Mar-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Linanthus: Leptosiphon flowers open in daytime on stalks >2mm; Linanthus flowers often open at dusk/night on very short stalks.; vs Phlox: Leptosiphon leaves are deeply divided into fingers; Phlox leaves are completely undivided.; vs Navarretia: Leptosiphon has soft, flexible leaf lobes; Navarretia has rigid, spine-tipped leaf lobes and bracts.; vs Gilia: Leptosiphon has opposite palmately-lobed leaves; Gilia has alternate pinnately-lobed leaves.; vs Sabulina: Leptosiphon has tubular 5-petaled flowers and lobed leaves; Sabulina has 5 separate petals and needle-like leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Leptosiphon chrysanthus subsp. chrysanthus native to California?
Yes. Leptosiphon chrysanthus subsp. chrysanthus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Leptosiphon chrysanthus subsp. chrysanthus bloom?
Leptosiphon chrysanthus subsp. chrysanthus blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Leptosiphon chrysanthus subsp. chrysanthus grow?
Leptosiphon chrysanthus subsp. chrysanthus occurs in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Kern, Ventura, Inyo, Riverside, San Diego, at elevations of < 2000 m.
What plant family does Leptosiphon chrysanthus subsp. chrysanthus belong to?
Leptosiphon chrysanthus subsp. chrysanthus is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Leptosiphon.
What habitat does Leptosiphon chrysanthus subsp. chrysanthus grow in?
Leptosiphon chrysanthus subsp. chrysanthus grows in Pinyon-pine/oak/juniper woodland, desert flats.
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.