Goldfields are yellow-flowering annual or perennial forbs in the Lasthenia genus of the Madieae tribe of the aster family. The Madieae tribe also contains tidytips and tarweeds. Goldfields are named for the fact that they often cover large fields or hillsides with their bright yellow flowers. Many of them are native to the Yuba-Sutter area.

Perennials

Vernal Pool Goldfields

Vernal pool goldfields (also called Frémont's goldfields) are native to Yuba and Sutter Counties and typically grow at elevations below 2,300 feet. They are found in riparian forest and freshwater marsh.

You can see pictures of them at CalPhotos, Flickr, and Picasa.

Annuals

California Goldfields

California goldfields (Lasthenia californica) mix with clustered field sedge in a garden in Marysville. Photo by queerbychoice. California goldfields (also called common goldfields or valley goldfields) are native to Yuba and Sutter Counties and typically grow at elevations below 4,000 feet. They are found in central oak woodland and valley grassland.

You can read more about them at the Theodore Payne Wiki. You can see pictures of them at CalPhotos, Flickr, and Picasa. You can find out where to buy them at the California Native Plant Link Exchange.

Yellowray Goldfields

Yellowray goldfields (Lasthenia glabrata) in a garden in Marysville. Photo by queerbychoice. Yellowray goldfields are native to Sutter County and typically grow at elevations below 4,500 feet. They are found in riparian forest and freshwater marsh.

You can read more about them at the Las Pilitas Nursery website. You can see pictures of them at CalPhotos, Flickr, and Picasa. You can find out where to buy them at the California Native Plant Link Exchange.

Smooth Goldfields

Smooth goldfields are native to Yuba and Sutter Counties and typically grow at elevations between 100 and 1,000 feet. They are most often found in meadows in riparian forest and freshwater marsh.

You can see pictures of them at CalPhotos, Flickr, and Picasa.

Smallray Goldfields

Smallray goldfields are native to Sutter County and typically grow on the Sutter Buttes at elevations between 200 and 3,200 feet. They are found in riparian forest.

You can see pictures of them at CalPhotos, Flickr, and Picasa.

Needle Goldfields

Needle goldfields are native to Yuba and Sutter Counties.

You can see pictures of them at CalPhotos, Flickr, and Picasa.