Subflower Family 

Goldfields 

March-May

Open Grasslands

 Asteraceae 

Lasthenia californica 

"Greek student of Plato"

"Of California"
Large areas are covered with these flowers which grow so closely together that the fields are colored gold. They are often found with miniature lupine (Lupinus bicolor) and bird's eyes (Gilia tricolor) making a carpet of flowers. Another plant often found with goldfields is butter and eggs (Triphysaria eriantha ssp. eriantha ), especially near Manzanita Point. The flowers are about a 1/2" wide.

The grassy areas along the road to Manzanita Point and the road above Frog Lake are often covered with these plants.

(large image)