''Crocidium multicaule'' is a species of flowering plant in the

daisy family The family Asteraceae, alternatively Compositae, consists of over 32,000 known species of flowering plants in over 1,900 genera within the order Asterales. Commonly referred to as the aster, daisy, composite, or sunflower family, Compositae w ...

known by the common name spring gold.

Description

''Crocidium multicaule'' is a small annual, typically not exceeding in height when in flower. It grows from a low small patch of somewhat fleshy leaves at the ground and erects several tall thin stems, each of which is topped by a single flower head. The flower head is made up of five to 13 (usually 8) lemon yellow ray florets, each up to a centimeter long. The center of the head is filled with tiny disc florets, in a similar shade of bright yellow. The fruits are fuzzy brown

achene An achene (; ), also sometimes called akene and occasionally achenium or achenocarp, is a type of simple dry fruit produced by many species of flowering plants. Achenes are monocarpellate (formed from one carpel) and indehiscent (they do not ope ...

s only one or two millimeters long which turn gluey when wet.Flora of North America, Vol. 20 Page 641 ''Crocidium'' Hooker, Fl. Bor.-Amer. 1: 335, plate 118. 1834.
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Range and habitat

''Crocidium multicaule'' is native to western North America from British Columbia to California, where it can be found in varied habitats from

grassland A grassland is an area where the vegetation is dominated by grasses (Poaceae). However, sedge (Cyperaceae) and rush (Juncaceae) can also be found along with variable proportions of legumes, like clover, and other herbs. Grasslands occur natur ...

to woodland, mostly in dry open habitat.

Gallery

Image: Crocidium multicaule iNat-111376817.1.jpg, Flowering near Ellensburg, WA Image: Crocidium multicaule iNat-111376817.2.jpg, Foliage near Ellensburg, WA

References

External links

Jepson Manual TreatmentUSDA Plants ProfilePhoto gallery
Senecioneae Flora of Northern America Plants described in 1834 {{Senecioneae-stub