Golden suncup
Taraxia ovata
Last reviewed: October 2026
Golden suncup (Taraxia ovata) is a perennial forb native to CA, OR. It blooms in February, March, and April. The flowers draw bees.
Toxicity unknown
Golden suncup (Taraxia ovata) 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
2"–6" H × 4"–8" W
Bloom
Feb, Mar, Apr
Native to
CA, OR
Pollinators
bees
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
A nearly stemless perennial with a flat rosette of narrow leaves pressed close to the ground and bright yellow cup-shaped flowers that open low among the leaves. It goes dormant after a short spring bloom in open grassland.
Growing Golden suncup
Grow Golden suncup in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 2 to 6 inches tall and spread 4 to 8 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Host plant for white-lined sphinx.
Its evening-primrose relatives are a documented larval host for the white-lined sphinx moth, and the flowers feed native bees.
Common questions
- How much sun does Golden suncup need?
- Golden suncup grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Golden suncup bloom?
- Golden suncup blooms in February, March, and April.
- Where is Golden suncup native?
- Golden suncup (Taraxia ovata) is native to CA, OR, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What butterflies or moths does Golden suncup host?
- Golden suncup is a larval host plant for white-lined sphinx.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. 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.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Golden suncup? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.