Lasthenia chrysantha
Encyclopedia
Lasthenia chrysantha is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family
known by the common name alkalisink goldfields. It is endemic to the California Central Valley
, where it grows in vernal pool
s and alkali flats. This is an annual herb approaching a maximum height near 28 centimeters. The stem may be branched or not and it bears mostly hairless, linear leaves up to 7 or 8 centimeters long. Atop the hairy to hairless stems are inflorescence
s of flower heads
with hairless phyllaries
. The head contains many yellow disc florets with a fringe of small yellow ray florets. The fruit is a black oval-shaped achene
a few millimeters long with a fringe of tiny dull hairs around the edge. Like other goldfields
, populations of this species bloom in the spring to produce a carpet of yellow in its habitat.
Asteraceae
The Asteraceae or Compositae , is an exceedingly large and widespread family of vascular plants. The group has more than 22,750 currently accepted species, spread across 1620 genera and 12 subfamilies...
known by the common name alkalisink goldfields. It is endemic to the California Central Valley
California Central Valley
California's Central Valley is a large, flat valley that dominates the central portion of California. It is home to California's most productive agricultural efforts. The valley stretches approximately from northwest to southeast inland and parallel to the Pacific Ocean coast. Its northern half is...
, where it grows in vernal pool
Vernal pool
Vernal pools, also called vernal ponds or ephemeral pools, are temporary pools of water. They are usually devoid of fish, and thus allow the safe development of natal amphibian and insect species...
s and alkali flats. This is an annual herb approaching a maximum height near 28 centimeters. The stem may be branched or not and it bears mostly hairless, linear leaves up to 7 or 8 centimeters long. Atop the hairy to hairless stems are inflorescence
Inflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
s of flower heads
Head (botany)
The capitulum is considered the most derived form of inflorescence. Flower heads found outside Asteraceae show lesser degrees of specialization....
with hairless phyllaries
Bract
In botany, a bract is a modified or specialized leaf, especially one associated with a reproductive structure such as a flower, inflorescence axis, or cone scale. Bracts are often different from foliage leaves. They may be smaller, larger, or of a different color, shape, or texture...
. The head contains many yellow disc florets with a fringe of small yellow ray florets. The fruit is a black oval-shaped achene
Achene
An achene is a type of simple dry fruit produced by many species of flowering plants. Achenes are monocarpellate and indehiscent...
a few millimeters long with a fringe of tiny dull hairs around the edge. Like other goldfields
Lasthenia
Lasthenia, commonly known as goldfields, is a genus of the botanical family Asteraceae. The genus is named after Lasthenia, a cross-dressing female pupil of the ancient Greek philosopher Plato.-Description:...
, populations of this species bloom in the spring to produce a carpet of yellow in its habitat.