Linanthus aureus – “Golden Gilia”

Other Botanical Names: Gilia aurea, Leptosiphon aureus

Family: Phlox (Polemoniaceae)
Bloom Period: Mar-Jun
Form: Annual herb
Habitat: Sandy soils
Leaves: Linear, sparse
Translation: “Linanthus” is Greek for “flax flower” because flowers in this genus resemble those of Flax; “aureus” is Latin for “golden,” and refers to the flower color.
Notes: A very small plant, usually no taller than 6 inches (15 cm). The particular specimen pictured was only about 2 inches (5 cm) tall, growing among a bunch of Wallace’s Woolly Sunflower (Eriophyllum wallacei), from which it was nearly indistinguishable from a standing position.
Animal Associations: Leaves eaten by the Mojave Ground Squirrel.