Highly variable native annual, biennial or short to long-lived perennial with golden yellow flowers, blooming April to August. Excellent drought tolerance. Common and quick to establish, occurring in dry, rocky or sandy well-drained soils on roadsides, bluffs, canyons, dry grasslands and forests. Attracts numerous pollinating flies, bees, moths and butterflies. Host plant for the Painted lady butterfly and nectar source for the Oregon-endangered Fender’s blue butterfly. Use in native habitat restoration, roadsides and in landscaping borders.