Triphysaria versicolor subsp. faucibarbata
Photo: parent species Triphysaria versicolor · (c) runcator, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Orobanchaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Triphysaria versicolor subsp. faucibarbata is a native California annual in the Orobanchaceae family, recognized by yellow flowers, tall stature, glabrous habit, densely puberulent corolla tube.
yellow-flowered owl's clover is a California native annual herb found in northern Coast Ranges, Sacramento Valley, central Coast, and San Francisco Bay Area grasslands at elevations below 500 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces bright yellow flowers with distinctive fringed or bearded edges. Growing with slender, delicate stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it forms compact clusters in open grassland environments. Its leaves are finely divided, creating a feathery, intricate appearance that blends seamlessly with surrounding grasses. The small yellow flowers emerge in tight clusters, adding a soft golden hue to springtime grassland landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; key features are yellow flowers, tall stature, glabrous habit, densely puberulent corolla tube
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassland
Elevation: < 500 m
California counties: Placer, San Luis Obispo, Napa, Sonoma, Marin, Del Norte, San Joaquin, Sacramento, Contra Costa, Butte, Humboldt, Monterey, Mendocino, Colusa, Solano, Lake, Alameda, Amador, San Benito, San Mateo, Yolo
Outside California: southwestern Oregon, introduced in British Columbia
Bloom period
Triphysaria versicolor subsp. faucibarbata blooms Apr-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Castilleja: Triphysaria has sharp throat fold above lower lip; Castilleja has smooth throat without fold.; vs Linaria: Triphysaria has open beak with throat fold; Linaria has closed tube with spur projecting backward.; vs Trifolium: Triphysaria has tubular two-lipped flowers; Trifolium has round heads of pea-like flowers with three leaflets.; vs Bellardia: Triphysaria has throat fold and yellow-white flowers; Bellardia lacks throat fold and has purple-yellow flowers.; vs Orthocarpus: Triphysaria has open beak with throat fold; Orthocarpus has closed hood completely covering stamens.
Frequently asked questions
Is Triphysaria versicolor subsp. faucibarbata native to California?
Yes. Triphysaria versicolor subsp. faucibarbata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Triphysaria versicolor subsp. faucibarbata bloom?
Triphysaria versicolor subsp. faucibarbata blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Triphysaria versicolor subsp. faucibarbata grow?
Triphysaria versicolor subsp. faucibarbata occurs in Placer, San Luis Obispo, Napa, Sonoma, Marin, Del Norte, San Joaquin, Sacramento and other counties, at elevations of < 500 m.
What plant family does Triphysaria versicolor subsp. faucibarbata belong to?
Triphysaria versicolor subsp. faucibarbata is in the Orobanchaceae family, genus Triphysaria.
What habitat does Triphysaria versicolor subsp. faucibarbata grow in?
Triphysaria versicolor subsp. faucibarbata grows in Grassland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Triphysaria versicolor subsp. versicolor
- Triphysaria eriantha — Butter-and-eggs
- Triphysaria eriantha subsp. eriantha
- Triphysaria eriantha subsp. rosea
- Triphysaria floribunda — San francisco owl's-clover
- Triphysaria micrantha — Little butter 'n' eggs
- Aphyllon californicum
- Aphyllon californicum subsp. californicum
- Aphyllon californicum subsp. condensum
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.