Lowellia aurea A. Gray, Mem. Amer. Acad. Arts, n. s. 4: 91. 1849; Dyssodia aurea (A. Gray) A. Nelson

Annuals, green, to 20(–30) cm, glabrous or puberulent. Stems erect (branched from bases). Leaves alternate; blades 15–40 mm overall, lobed, lobes 5–13, linear. Peduncles 10–70 mm, glabrous or puberulent. Calyculi 0, or of 1–2 subulate bractlets, lengths less than ¹/2 phyllaries. Involucres obconic to campanulate, 5–6 mm. Phyllaries 12–15, margins of outer distinct almost to bases, abaxial faces glabrous or puberulent. Ray florets 8–12; corollas bright yellow, laminae 4–6 × 2–3 mm. Disc florets 30–45; corollas yellow, 3 mm. Cypselae 3 mm; pappi either of erose scales 0.3–0.6 mm, or of 3–5-aristate scales 2–3 mm.

Varieties 2 (2 in the flora): sw United States, n Mexico.

The two varieties of Thymophylla aurea are sometimes found in mixed populations, which may include intermediate plants.