From a distance Thelypodiopsis aurea might be taken for Stanleya pinnata but up-close the two are distinct.  Blooming time also helps to separate the two: T. aurea blooms early in March and April, S. pinnata in May and June.  Both plants like growing in selenium rich soils and T. aurea especially reeks from the selenium.  T. aurea grows to three feet tall, its leaves are sage green with basal leaves in a large mound, and its bright yellow tubular flowers with four flared petals are subtended by four bright yellow sepals (the narrow yellow structures below the floral tube in the photograph immediately below).

Semi-desert. Openings. Spring.
McElmo Canyon, Canyon of the Ancients National Monument, March 24, 2009.

Basal leaves are longer than upper leaves, have a petiole, and are coarsely toothed.  Upper leaves are sessile and have ear-like lobes that clasp the stem on the sides ("auriculate").  Notice also that the leaves at the very bottom are dying; basal leaves are often withered soon after the plant begins to flower.

Range map © John Kartesz,
Floristic Synthesis of North America

State Color Key

Species present in state and native
Species present in state and exotic
Species not present in state

County Color Key

Species present and not rare
Species present and rare
Species extirpated (historic)
Species extinct
Species noxious
Species exotic and present
Native species, but adventive in state
Eradicated
Questionable presence

Range map for Thelypodiopsis aurea