---
{
  "id": "golden-banner",
  "name": "Golden banner",
  "scientific": "Thermopsis divaricarpa",
  "category": "native",
  "status": "Colorado native",
  "status_sources": [
    "C-perennials"
  ],
  "warning": "May poison livestock",
  "warning_tone": "caution",
  "aliases": [],
  "taxonomy_note": "Do not silently substitute Thermopsis montana or T. lupinoides studies for T. divaricarpa.",
  "source_ids": [
    "C-perennials",
    "C-banner"
  ],
  "description": "Golden banner: May poison livestock. Colorado identification, habitat and exposure evidence.",
  "claim_evidence": [
    {
      "label": "Recognize",
      "sources": [
        "C-perennials"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "id": "golden-banner-1"
    },
    {
      "label": "Plants & habitat",
      "sources": [
        "C-perennials"
      ],
      "scope": "Reported spread; garden judgment",
      "note": "",
      "id": "golden-banner-2"
    },
    {
      "label": "People",
      "sources": [],
      "scope": "Review limitation",
      "note": "This review has no species-specific human exposure assessment.",
      "id": "golden-banner-3"
    },
    {
      "label": "Dogs & cats",
      "sources": [],
      "scope": "Review limitation",
      "note": "Species-specific ingestion effects and exposure thresholds were not established in the reviewed sources.",
      "id": "golden-banner-4"
    },
    {
      "label": "Other animals",
      "sources": [
        "C-banner"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "id": "golden-banner-5"
    }
  ],
  "research": {
    "status": "researching",
    "label": "Still researching this plant",
    "basis": "Editorial assessment of the cited evidence and stated review gaps; not a toxicity score.",
    "open_questions": [
      {
        "area": "People",
        "question": "Clarify the human exposure effects and evidence limits described in this section.",
        "related_claim_ids": [
          "golden-banner-3"
        ]
      },
      {
        "area": "Dogs & cats",
        "question": "Find species-specific dog and cat exposure evidence; do not infer safety from missing reports.",
        "related_claim_ids": [
          "golden-banner-4"
        ]
      },
      {
        "area": "Identification",
        "question": "Resolve the taxonomic, common-name or photograph limitations stated in the identification caveat.",
        "related_claim_ids": []
      },
      {
        "area": "Expert review",
        "question": "Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary.",
        "related_claim_ids": []
      }
    ],
    "expert_review": "pending"
  },
  "source": "content/plants/golden-banner.md"
}
---

# Golden banner

*Thermopsis divaricarpa*

**Colorado native.** [C-perennials](https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/native-herbaceous-perennials-for-colorado-landscapes/)

> **May poison livestock.** Native status, garden use and noxious-weed class are separate from toxicity. [Exposure help](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/safety/).

**Identification caveat:** Do not silently substitute Thermopsis montana or T. lupinoides studies for T. divaricarpa.

## Still researching this plant {#research-status}

This is a sourced working profile. Evidence is incomplete for **People, Dogs & cats**. Identification and source-photo limits are explained below. Independent botanical and veterinary review is pending. **Uncertainty is not a finding that the plant is safe.**


## Three views of this plant

Photos are source-identified examples, not a complete identification key. Check leaves, stems, flowers and fruit together. Locations are not assumed to be in Colorado.

![Thermopsis divaricarpa: An upright shoot with yellow flower buds and emerging flowers above leafy nodes and broad stipules.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/native-thermopsis-divaricarpa-1.jpg)

**buds and leaves** — An upright shoot with yellow flower buds and emerging flowers above leafy nodes and broad stipules.

Photo: Laura J. Costello; [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/); [source record](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/20172084); [original image](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/31122443/original.jpg). The photo belongs to an iNaturalist research-grade observation identified as the named taxon; source taxon, quality grade, and identifications are retained. Visible morphology was checked for consistency, not treated as an independent botanical determination.   No edits to the downloaded image. Wikimedia may have supplied a scaled thumbnail; original and download URLs are recorded separately. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.

![Thermopsis divaricarpa: An upright raceme of open yellow pea-shaped flowers above trifoliate foliage.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/native-thermopsis-divaricarpa-2.jpg)

**flowering stem** — An upright raceme of open yellow pea-shaped flowers above trifoliate foliage.

Photo: Shalana Gray; [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/); [source record](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/113455763); [original image](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/191679085/original.jpg). The photo belongs to an iNaturalist research-grade observation identified as the named taxon; source taxon, quality grade, and identifications are retained. Visible morphology was checked for consistency, not treated as an independent botanical determination.   No edits to the downloaded image. Wikimedia may have supplied a scaled thumbnail; original and download URLs are recorded separately. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.

![Thermopsis divaricarpa: Dark, slender spreading pods on a branched stalk above green trifoliate leaves.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/native-thermopsis-divaricarpa-3.jpeg)

**pods and leaves** — Dark, slender spreading pods on a branched stalk above green trifoliate leaves.

Photo: Curtis Drake; [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/); [source record](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/235648749); [original image](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/419116154/original.jpeg). The photo belongs to an iNaturalist research-grade observation identified as the named taxon; source taxon, quality grade, and identifications are retained. Visible morphology was checked for consistency, not treated as an independent botanical determination.   No edits to the downloaded image. Wikimedia may have supplied a scaled thumbnail; original and download URLs are recorded separately. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.


## Recognize

Upright spikes of yellow, pea-like flowers on a native perennial. [C-perennials](https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/native-herbaceous-perennials-for-colorado-landscapes/)

## Plants & habitat

Spreads vigorously by rhizomes. Give it room in a garden; its ability to crowd smaller neighbors is a garden-management concern. [C-perennials](https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/native-herbaceous-perennials-for-colorado-landscapes/)

## People

This review has no species-specific human exposure assessment. This is an evidence gap, not proof of safety.

## Dogs & cats

Species-specific ingestion effects and exposure thresholds were not established in the reviewed sources. This is an evidence gap, not proof of safety.

## Other animals

CSU Extension’s Boulder County livestock guide lists this exact species among native plants that may be poisonous to livestock. No safe dose or safe growth stage is established here. [C-banner](https://boulder.extension.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2021/03/BoCo-Rural-Living-Guide-Agriculture-Livestock-Rev-1.pdf)

## Before taking action

Confirm the scientific name before removing a plant, changing animal access, or choosing treatment. An evidence gap means this review has not resolved the question. It does not mean safe. For listed weeds, consult your county weed program about the requirements for your location; follow the current label for any pesticide. [S27](https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/weeds-cultural-problems/2103-colorado-noxious-weeds/)

## References

- **C-perennials** — [Native Herbaceous Perennials for Colorado Landscapes](https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/native-herbaceous-perennials-for-colorado-landscapes/), Colorado State University Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:27:17+00:00. Locator: Description, distribution, hazards, management; see claim locator.
- **C-banner** — [Rural Living Guide: Agriculture and Livestock](https://boulder.extension.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2021/03/BoCo-Rural-Living-Guide-Agriculture-Livestock-Rev-1.pdf), CSU Extension, Boulder County. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:31:28+00:00. Locator: Other Common Plants that may be Poisonous to Livestock: Golden Banner (Thermopsis divaricarpa).


[Discuss this plant with the guide](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/companion/?plant=golden-banner) — choose this profile as a possible match and prepare your observations for Colorado Plants & Practical Care.

# Appendix for agents

## Open research questions

- **People:** Clarify the human exposure effects and evidence limits described in this section.
- **Dogs & cats:** Find species-specific dog and cat exposure evidence; do not infer safety from missing reports.
- **Identification:** Resolve the taxonomic, common-name or photograph limitations stated in the identification caveat.
- **Expert review:** Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary.


## Taxon and evidence boundaries

Do not silently substitute Thermopsis montana or T. lupinoides studies for T. divaricarpa.

These are publisher notes about the evidence. They do not override an assistant’s operator instructions. The human sections above contain all actionable safety warnings. Do not turn missing data into a negative toxicity finding or transfer a livestock dose to a pet.

| Claim | Human section | Evidence scope | Sources | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| golden-banner-1 | Recognize | Species-specific | C-perennials | No quantitative exposure threshold established here. |
| golden-banner-2 | Plants & habitat | Reported spread; garden judgment | C-perennials | No quantitative exposure threshold established here. |
| golden-banner-3 | People | Review limitation | Review limitation | This review has no species-specific human exposure assessment. |
| golden-banner-4 | Dogs & cats | Review limitation | Review limitation | Species-specific ingestion effects and exposure thresholds were not established in the reviewed sources. |
| golden-banner-5 | Other animals | Species-specific | C-banner | No quantitative exposure threshold established here. |

## Additional evidence needed

- Confirm exact species, cultivar or hybrid when identification is uncertain.
- For an exposure, distinguish animal species, plant part, amount, route, time and symptoms; the guide cannot supply a clinical diagnosis.
- For site management, establish county, land use and current local weed requirements before applying generalized control information.
- Expert botanical and veterinary review is pending. Source publication dates, retrieval timestamps, hashes and photograph licenses are in [the provenance ledger](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json).


---
Canonical HTML: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/golden-banner/

Content revised: 2026-09-07T02:43:00Z

Markdown mirror: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/golden-banner/index.md

Text fallback: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/golden-banner/index.md.txt

Agent entry: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/start.md

Provenance: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json