Leptosiphon aureus
Introduction '''''Leptosiphon aureus''''' (a.k.a. '''''Leptosiphon chrysanthus''''') is a species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common name '''golden linanthus'''.
Description Golden linanthus 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 has an inflorescence of usually a single flower with corolla lobes under a centimeter long. The nominate subspecies generally has bright to golden yellow flowers, while ssp. ''decorus'' has white or cream blooms. The bloom period is March to June.===Subspecies===The two subspecies overlap in geography but do not occur together. *''Leptosiphon aureus'' ssp. ''aureus'' (''Leptosiphon chrysanthus'' ssp. ''chrysanthus'') — pinyon-juniper woodlands, madrean pine-oak woodlands in Madrean Sky Islands, and desert flats. *''Leptosiphon aureus'' subsp. ''decorus'' (''Leptosiphon chrysanthus'' ssp. ''decorus'') —  endemic to the Mojave Desert in California.
Distribution and habitat The plant is native to the Southwestern United States in Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and Southern California; and to northwestern Mexico in Baja California state.It grows in desert flats and desert chaparral of the Mojave Desert and Sonoran Desert; in chaparral and woodlands of the Peninsular Ranges and Transverse Ranges; and in pinyon-juniper woodlands and madrean pine-oak woodlands of Madrean Sky Islands.
References
External links * Calflora Database: ''Leptosiphon aureus'' (Golden linanthus)* Jepson Manual eFlora (TJM2) treatment of ''Leptosiphon aureus''* UC CalPhotos gallery: ''Leptosiphon aureus'' ssp. ''aureus''** UC CalPhotos gallery: ''Leptosiphon aureus''  ssp. ''decorus''