Leptosiphon aureus, Golden Desert-trumpets
Scientific Name: Leptosiphon aureus
Common Name: Desert-trumpets
Also Called: Desert Gold, Golden Deserttrumpets, Golden Desert-trumpets, Golden Linanthus
Family: Polemoniaceae, Jacob’s Ladder or Phlox Family
Synonyms: (Leptosiphon aureus, Leptosiphon chrysanthus, Linanthus aureus, Linanthus aureus subsp. aureus, Navarretia aurea)
Status: Native
Duration: Annual
Size: Up to 6 inches tall more or less.
Growth Form: Forb/herb; usually branched throughout, stems thread-like, ascending, smooth or with pilose or glandular hairs.
Leaves: Green; leaves 3 to 5, linear, leaves also smooth or with glandular hair, opposite.
Flower Color: Yellow, bright yellow; showy flowers, 1 or more flowers, terminal or pedicellate, funnel- or tubular-shaped flowers, inflorescence a slender stem, corolla with 5 lobes.
Flowering Season: March to June.
Elevation: 2,000 to 6,000 feet.
Habitat Preferences: Common on dry plains and mesas; Pinyon-pine/oak/juniper woodland, desert flats in California.
Recorded Range: Golden Desert-trumpets are found in the southwest United States in AZ, CA, UT. This species is also native to Baja California and Mexico.
North America & US County Distribution Map for Leptosiphon aureus.
U.S. Weed Information: No information available.
Invasive/Noxious Weed Information: No information available.
Wetland Indicator: No information available.
Threatened/Endangered Information: No information available.
Genus Information: USDA Plants.gov lists 28 Species and 41 accepted taxa overall for Leptosiphon in western North America. In the southwest there are approximately 3 species in Arizona and New Mexico, 26 species in California and 0 species in Texas.
In Arizona, Golden Desert-trumpets are found throughout most of the state with few or no records in Yuma and La Paz Counties.
The Plant List includes 26 species for the genus Leptosiphon world-wide. (note discrepancy above).
There are 2 sub-species in Leptosiphon aureus:Leptosiphon aureus subsp. aureus, Golden Linanthus (AZ, CA, NM, NV, UT);
Leptosiphon aureus subsp. decorus, Golden Linanthus (AZ, CA, NV).
Comments: Golden Desert-trumpets are common almost throughout the state at appropriate elevation. With ample rain these plants may color extensive areas with their bright-yellow flowers.
This species was formerly placed in the genus Linanthus and is still undergoing taxonomic review. Also recognized as Leptosiphon chrysanthus by some authorities.