The first wildflowers of the season, gold star (Crocidium multicaule) are blooming on the sandy shore at Point Holmes.
One Gold Star
These annual blooms are one of the first signs of spring on the nature calendar in the Comox Valley.
Two Gold Stars
The small delicate flowers are worth a close-up view, in order to appreciate the ray (outer) and disc (inner) flowers.
Three Gold Stars
The yellow ray flowers & the reddish tinged bracts glow with the sun behind.
Four Gold Stars
Gold star is a species of dry open sites at low elevations. Here on the beach the sun warms the surrounding sand & stones encouraging early blossoming.
Five Gold Stars
En masse the display is worth at least five gold stars!
Display of Stars
If you visit, step carefully, as the ecosystem is extremely delicate. Stay on the paths above or on the sand & gravel below – luckily, the upper beach just above the driftwood provides an eye-level vantage point from which to easily photograph the blooms closeup.
Gold Stars at Point Holmes
nature student 
They look like little sunflowers!
Yes, they are related to Eriophyllum lanatum which is known as Woolly Sunflower or Oregon sunshine!
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