Thermopsis californica
California goldenbanner
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Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Thermopsis californica (California goldenbanner) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family.
California goldenbanner is a California native perennial found in montane and foothill regions in open woodlands and grasslands at elevations of 300 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces bright yellow flowers in elongated clusters 7 to 30 centimeters long. Growing with ascending to erect slender stems 30 to 80 centimeters tall with irregular branching, it develops a robust herbaceous structure. Its compound leaves have three to seven leaflets, each 3 to 7 centimeters long and covered in soft hairs with prominent lateral veins. The fruit develops as a straight, densely hairy pod that generally grows in an ascending position.
Habitat and range
California counties: Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Sonoma, Marin, Del Norte, San Diego, Santa Clara
How to tell it apart
vs Lupinus: Thermopsis has all stamens free and separate; Lupinus has stamens fused into a tube.; vs Genista: Thermopsis has compound palmate leaves; Genista has simple undivided leaves or is nearly leafless.; vs Lotus: Thermopsis grows in mountains with large yellow flowers; Lotus is lowland with tiny yellow flowers.; vs Cleomella: Thermopsis has pea flowers; Cleomella has four-petaled flowers with long stamens.; vs Acmispon: Thermopsis has large yellow flowers (15-25 mm); Acmispon has tiny yellow flowers under 10 mm.
Frequently asked questions
Is Thermopsis californica native to California?
Yes. Thermopsis californica is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Thermopsis californica grow?
Thermopsis californica occurs in Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Sonoma, Marin, Del Norte, San Diego, Santa Clara.
What plant family does Thermopsis californica belong to?
Thermopsis californica is in the Fabaceae family, genus Thermopsis.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Thermopsis californica var. argentata — Silvery false-lupine
- Thermopsis californica var. californica — California goldenbanner
- Thermopsis californica var. semota — Velvety false-lupine
- Thermopsis gracilis — Slender goldenbanner
- Thermopsis macrophylla — Santa ynez false-lupine
- Thermopsis robusta — Robust false-lupine
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.