Yellowray Goldfields, Coulter's goldfields
Lasthenia glabrata
Family: Asteraceae or Compositae
What it is like
Lasthenia glabrata is a ANNUAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). It is in flower from May to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 0.3
Where it is found
Heavy soils, vernal pools, low alkaline fields, hillsides etc, especially in grassland and alkaline marshes, to 1300 metres.
South-western N. America - California.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Seed - raw or cooked. The seed can be parched and eaten dry or made into a powder and eaten dry or cooked like a porridge.
Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
An easily grown plant, succeeding in any well-drained soil, including nutritionally poor ones. It prefers a sunny position. Another report says that it requires a moderately good garden soil and a warm sheltered position. An annual plant, germinating in the autumn and growing through the winter in California. A second flowering can be obtained from plants if they are trimmed back after flowering and before setting seed.
Propagating it: Seed - sow early to mid spring in situ. Seed can also be sown in situ in early to mid autumn but this sowing will normally require some protection from winter cold.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Annual
Hardiness: 0-0
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist