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Golden Desert-snapdragon

Mohavea breviflora

Last reviewed: September 2026

Golden Desert-snapdragon (Mohavea breviflora)
Photo: (c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY)

Toxicity unknown

Golden Desert-snapdragon (Mohavea breviflora) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

4"–12" H × 4"–8" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May

Native to

AZ, CA, NV, UT

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Before you buy

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Sierra NevadaMojave Basin and Range

Golden desert-snapdragon is a small annual wildflower that produces bright yellow snapdragon-like blooms in spring. This compact native grows close to the ground and thrives in hot, dry conditions with minimal water needs.

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In an HOA neighborhood

Golden Desert-snapdragon takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

  • Annual lifecycle creates gaps when plants die
  • Can appear weedy or sparse
  • Unpredictable germination patterns

Wildlife value

The bright yellow flowers attract native bees and butterflies during the spring blooming period. As an annual, it provides seasonal nectar resources for pollinators.

Common questions

How much sun does Golden Desert-snapdragon need?
Golden Desert-snapdragon grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Golden Desert-snapdragon bloom?
Golden Desert-snapdragon blooms in March, April, and May.
Where is Golden Desert-snapdragon native?
Golden Desert-snapdragon (Mohavea breviflora) is native to AZ, CA, NV, UT, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Golden Desert-snapdragon attract?
Golden Desert-snapdragon draws bees and butterflies.
Is Golden Desert-snapdragon HOA-friendly?
Golden Desert-snapdragon takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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