# Golden Beeplant (*cleomella platycarpa*)

The Golden Beeplant, scientifically known as Cleomella platycarpa, is an eye-catching annual wildflower native to the arid and semi-arid regions of the western United States. Gracing volcanic soils, clay slopes, and alkaline flats, this hardy member of the Cleomaceae family lights up dry landscapes with its brilliant clusters of golden-yellow flowers. The plant's common name reflects its irresistible appeal to native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, who flock to its nectar-rich blossoms during the warm late spring and summer months. Historically overlooked as a simple desert weed, the Golden Beeplant plays a vital role in its local ecosystems by stabilizing disturbed soils and providing an essential food source for native insects in areas where water is scarce.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Snaps:** 2
- **Habitat:** Found in open, arid environments, typically growing in alkaline flats, clay-rich hillsides, volcanic soils, and sagebrush scrublands.

![Golden Beeplant](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/426045/medium.jpg)

Photo: Jason Hollinger, CC BY 4.0 · [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/426045)

## Appearance

The Golden Beeplant typically grows between 10 to 50 centimeters in height, featuring upright, branching stems that are smooth and light green. Its leaves are divided into three small, oval-shaped leaflets, while its most striking feature is the dense, rounded clusters of bright yellow flowers with exceptionally long, thread-like stamens that protrude far beyond the petals. Following pollination, it develops distinctively flattened, double-lobed, rhombic seed pods that dangle from slender stalks and turn a dry tan color as they mature.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Brassicales
- **Family:** Cleomaceae
- **Genus:** Cleomella

## Interesting facts

- Its seed pods are shaped like tiny, flattened fans or diamonds, which distinguishes it from related plants in the mustard family that have elongated pods.
- Like other members of the Brassicales order, it contains mustard oils (glucosinolates) which give the leaves a pungent taste to deter most mammalian herbivores.
- The common name 'Beeplant' is highly literal; the flowers emit a sweet scent that attracts massive quantities of native bees.

## Special abilities

- **Alkaline Soil Tolerance:** Can thrive in heavy, highly alkaline clay and volcanic soils that are toxic or inhospitable to most other plant species.
- **Stamen Elongation:** Possesses exceptionally long stamens that efficiently brush pollen onto visiting bees and butterflies, ensuring successful cross-pollination.
- **Drought Escape:** Utilizes a rapid annual life cycle, germinating quickly after spring rains to bloom and set seeds before the extreme heat of the summer dehydrates the soil.

## Measurements & details

- **Length:** 10-50 cm
- **Weight:** 0.01-0.15 kg
- **Lifespan:** 1 years

## Diet & Feeding

As a photosynthetic autotroph, the Golden Beeplant produces its own food using sunlight, water, carbon dioxide, and soil nutrients.

- **Primary Foods:** Sunlight, Water, Carbon Dioxide, Soil Minerals

## Ecological connections

- **Mutualism:** Western Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Bees pollinate the flowers while harvesting nectar and pollen.
- **Host plant:** [Cabbage White](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cabbage-white) (*Pieris rapae*) — Caterpillars feed on the leaves and seed pods, utilizing the plant's mustard oils for chemical defense.
- **Eaten by:** [Desert Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus audubonii*) — Rabbits may graze on the young foliage during early spring when other greenery is scarce.

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

No special safety notes yet.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Golden Beeplant?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How long is Golden Beeplant?

10-50 cm

### How much does Golden Beeplant weigh?

0.01-0.15 kg

### How long does Golden Beeplant live?

1 years

### What does Golden Beeplant eat?

As a photosynthetic autotroph, the Golden Beeplant produces its own food using sunlight, water, carbon dioxide, and soil nutrients.

### Where is Golden Beeplant usually found?

Found in open, arid environments, typically growing in alkaline flats, clay-rich hillsides, volcanic soils, and sagebrush scrublands.

## Where to spot

- [Painted Hills](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/painted-hills) — Oregon, US · Natural Landmark

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Golden Beeplant: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/golden-beeplant)