| Leptosiphon aureus | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Polemoniaceae |
| Genus: | Leptosiphon |
| Species: | L. aureus |
| Binomial name | |
| Leptosiphon aureus (Nutt.) J.M.Porter & L.A.Johnson |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Linanthus aureus |
|
Leptosiphon aureus (syn. Linanthus aureus) is a species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common name golden linanthus. It is native to the Southwestern United States, Southern California, and northern Mexico. It grows in woodlands in desert and mountainous areas.
This is an annual herb producing a thin, threadlike stem with occasional leaves divided into narrow needlelike lobes. The oppositely arranged leaves are each divided into very narrow bristlelike lobes up to a centimeter long.
The tip of the stem is occupied by an inflorescence of usually a single flower with corolla lobes under a centimeter long. There are two subspecies: ssp. aureus generally has bright to golden yellow flowers, while ssp. decorus has white or cream blooms.