Aliciella humillima
Smallest aliciella
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Aliciella humillima (Smallest aliciella) is a native California annual in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by size, flower color pattern, leaf division.
Smallest aliciella is a California native annual found in the Great Basin region including Modoc and Inyo counties on rocky or sandy soils at elevations of 1,200 to 1,670 meters. Flowering from April to May, this delicate plant produces white flowers with yellow throats and purple outer lobes, measuring 4 to 7 millimeters long. Growing with multiple slender, spreading branches 4 to 20 centimeters tall and slightly glandular-hairy, it has a delicate, thread-like appearance. Its basal leaves are 1 to 7.5 centimeters long with spreading pinnate lobes, while upper leaves are narrow and entire. The tiny spherical fruit is approximately 3 millimeters long, containing 6 to 24 small seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; key features are size, flower color pattern, leaf division
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Rocky or sandy soil
Elevation: 1200-1670 m
Outside California: to Oregon, Nevada
Bloom period
Aliciella humillima blooms Apr-May.
How to tell it apart
vs Gilia: Aliciella has wheel-shaped flowers with spreading lobes; Gilia has funnel-shaped flowers with a tube.; vs Phacelia: Aliciella leaves are cleanly feather-divided; Phacelia leaves are more irregularly lobed or toothed.; vs Linanthus: Aliciella smells skunky when crushed; Linanthus lacks this odor.; vs Lathrocasis: Aliciella has deeply divided compound leaves; Lathrocasis has simple, undivided leaves.; vs Allophyllum: Aliciella has wheel-shaped flowers; Allophyllum has funnel-shaped flowers and long fuzzy hairs.
Frequently asked questions
Is Aliciella humillima native to California?
Yes. Aliciella humillima is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Aliciella humillima bloom?
Aliciella humillima blooms Apr-May.
What plant family does Aliciella humillima belong to?
Aliciella humillima is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Aliciella.
What habitat does Aliciella humillima grow in?
Aliciella humillima grows in Uncommon. Rocky or sandy soil.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.