Thermopsis californica var. californica
California goldenbanner
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Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Thermopsis californica var. californica (California goldenbanner) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by flower number per node and plant size.
California goldenbanner is a California native perennial found in northern coastal, northern coastal ranges, and central western California regions in meadows, chaparral, and pine/oak woodlands at elevations below 1,000 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces yellow flowers in clusters with soft, gray-hairy stems. Growing 30 to 80 centimeters tall with an upright habit, it has distinctive soft, spreading hairs covering its stems and foliage. Its leaves feature broadly ovate stipules with soft, spreading hairs that are not pressed closely to the plant surface. The plant's gray-green appearance and soft hairiness make it a distinctive member of California's grassland and woodland plant communities.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; distinguished by flower number per node and plant size
Habitat and range
Habitat: Meadows, chaparral, pine/oak woodland
Elevation: < 1000 m
California counties: San Luis Obispo, Sonoma, Santa Cruz, Mendocino, Monterey, Lake, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Marin, Napa, Santa Barbara, San Benito, Alameda, Del Norte
Bloom period
Thermopsis californica var. californica blooms May-Jun.
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 var. californica native to California?
Yes. Thermopsis californica var. californica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Thermopsis californica var. californica bloom?
Thermopsis californica var. californica blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Thermopsis californica var. californica grow?
Thermopsis californica var. californica occurs in San Luis Obispo, Sonoma, Santa Cruz, Mendocino, Monterey, Lake, Santa Clara, San Mateo and other counties, at elevations of < 1000 m.
What plant family does Thermopsis californica var. californica belong to?
Thermopsis californica var. californica is in the Fabaceae family, genus Thermopsis.
What habitat does Thermopsis californica var. californica grow in?
Thermopsis californica var. californica grows in Meadows, chaparral, pine/oak woodland.
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.