Scientific Family
Polemoniaceae
Synonyms
Leptosiphon aureus, Linanthus aureus
Other common names
Golden linanthus
desert gold
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Height
To 6 inches
Riparian
No
A small spindly plant, usually with 3 branches at a fork and pale to deep yellow, funnel-shaped flowers on very slender stalks.
Glandular annual with slender erect stems. Leaves mostly opposite, simple or palmately divided. Funnel-shaped yellow flowers with 5 lobes and dark golden-orange centers are borne along elongated stems, flower stems to 3/16 inches. Fruit is a capsule.
Habitat
Dry plains and mesas and oak woodlands.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
2000
High elevation
6000
Flower Characteristics
Funnel-shaped, upright golden yellow flower with a bright orange center.
Flower color
Golden yellow
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
March
Last bloom month
June
Flower clusters
None
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves divide into 3 to 7 linear pointed lobes that are up to 1/4 inch long and needle-like that form a ring around the stem at well-spaced intervals.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Capsule is round.
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit color
Brown
1 to several seeds borne in each cell of the seed capsule.