Golden Linanthus
Linanthus aureus
Leptosiphon aureus
Photographed along Mesquite Wash, Maricopa Co., Arizona. March 2008.
FLOWERS: Golden yellow petals, five in number, fused into an open
funnel-shape. Small, aranged in loose panicles on slender, v. slender peduncles. Mid
spring in moist, sandy or gravelly soils. Five stamens and style 3-parted.
ANNUAL: A delicate herb of spring time in the Sonoran Desert. Mostly
about 15 cm tall.
LEAVES: Leaves appear linear and whorled on stems, but are opposite,
compound with linear segments and v. short absent petiole.
RANGE: Spotty distribution in the Sonoran Desert along sandy washes.
Present only in years with adequate winter rains.
FRUIT: Dry, spherical capsule.
UNARMED. No spines/thorns.