Several years ago these guys really confused me. Compared to Woodrush Hayfield Tarplant, they show up earlier, they don't have the long blueish Luzula-like leaves, really short, not much of a scent or stickiness, and die back before the ssp luzulifolia start blooming- which lasts much longer. Seems like these are pretty rare and favor serpentine soil. I've seen fields of them mid-spring along Crystal Springs Reservoir from the CS Golf Course south to CS Reservoir. There's lots that are on the public side of the water district fence BTW. I've never seen anyone look at them though.
Saw this two years ago and did some research. Seems to be a good fit.
Plant smelling like banana-flavored laffy taffy upon approach.
Clay endemic. Also with Madia radiata (left in second photo), another clay endemic.