Cleomella lutea aka Yellow Spiderflower

Cleomella lutea is an easy annual to grow from seed. It requires full sun and well-drained, sandy or light soil, and tolerates dry conditions well. No special care is needed beyond basic weed control in the garden bed.

An erect annual herb typically 60 cm to 1.2 m (2–4 ft) tall, with branched or simple stems. The palmately compound leaves carry 3–7 leaflets. It completes its lifecycle in a single growing season.

Native to the western United States, ranging from Nebraska to Washington state and south to Arizona and Baja California, Mexico. Most common in desert scrub and plateau habitats; also found in pinyon-juniper and ponderosa pine communities at 600–2,100 m elevation. Native to California.

Prefers light to medium, well-drained soils — sandy desert plains and lower montane valleys are typical. Also found on hills, streambanks, and disturbed habitats. Does not tolerate heavy or waterlogged soils.

Hardy in USDA zones 4–10. As a warm-season annual, it germinates at around 25°C and grows during summer. It is not frost-tolerant as a mature plant, but seeds can overwinter in the soil.

Bright yellow flowers, each with four oblong petals and six long, prominent stamens tipped with knobby anthers. Blooms from June through October. Flowers open sequentially from the top of the spike downward, so seed capsules and fresh blooms coexist on the same stem simultaneously.

Grows readily outdoors in full sun with sandy or light, well-drained soil. Sow seed directly in spring; germination takes 5–14 days at 25°C. No irrigation is needed once established in suitable habitats. Excellent for pollinator and wildflower gardens in the western US.

The leaves, young shoots, and seeds are edible but have a strong, often unpleasant flavor. Traditional preparation involves boiling and discarding the cooking water, then using the plant sparingly or drying it for storage. Regarded as a famine food or survival resource rather than a desirable culinary ingredient. PFAF rates edibility at 2/5.

Rated 1/5 medicinally by PFAF. Plateau Indian tribes used an infusion of the branches and flowers to treat the common cold. The Navajo used the plant externally to treat ant bites. No modern clinical evidence is documented.

The whole plant can be boiled to produce a black dye. Cleomella lutea is also an important pollinator resource, attracting bees and other insects throughout its extended bloom season.

Cleomella lutea is primarily insect-pollinated. The showy yellow flowers with long, prominent stamens attract bees and other pollinators over an extended summer blooming period.

As an annual, Cleomella lutea grows from seed each year. Sow in spring after the last frost; allow spent plants to set seed so they can self-sow for the following season. No overwintering care is needed for the plant itself.

Yellow Spiderflower should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Yellow Spiderflower requires abundant, bright and direct light. Placing it less than one foot from a window is the best way to make sure the plant receives enough light to survive and thrive. Depending on your region, however, the current weather can affect the placement of the plant in your home. For example, in some areas the sun may be too direct and intense, so it's best to place it farther away from the window. You may also need to adjust your placement according to the season as the sunlight can change intensity over the course of the year. If you live in a region with significant temperature fluctuations, such as a desert, you may need to place the plant a bit farther away from the window to avoid extreme heat or cold. With some care and attention, your Peritoma Breviflora will be sure to bring you many years of beauty and enjoyment.

Ploi's records do not contain confirmed information on the toxicity of this particular plant. In the event of accidental ingestion of plant material with questionable toxicity by you, a family member, or a pet, it is always a good idea to consult a healthcare professional.