Aliciella latifolia subsp. latifolia
Broad-leaved aliciella, Broad-Leaved Aliciella
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Aliciella latifolia subsp. latifolia (Broad-leaved aliciella) is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by broad dentate leaves and pink flowers.
Broad-leaved aliciella is a California native annual found in the Mojave Desert and western Inyo Mountains on rocky slopes and washes at elevations below 1,800 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces white and pink to magenta flowers with 7 to 11 millimeters long corollas, the lobes featuring a distinctive color gradient. Growing with spreading branches 10 to 30 centimeters tall and covered in glandular hairs, it has a distinctly skunk-like odor. Its basal leaves are obovate, 1 to 7 centimeters wide, with coarsely toothed edges and needle-like teeth, while upper leaves become progressively reduced to narrow needle-like forms. The fruit produces many deep red-brown seeds in an ovoid capsule 5 to 7 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; broad dentate leaves and pink flowers are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Rocky slopes, washes
Elevation: < 1800 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Imperial, San Diego, Riverside, Inyo, Kern
Outside California: to Utah, Arizona
Bloom period
Aliciella latifolia subsp. latifolia blooms (Jan)Apr-May(Jul).
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 latifolia subsp. latifolia native to California?
Yes. Aliciella latifolia subsp. latifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Aliciella latifolia subsp. latifolia bloom?
Aliciella latifolia subsp. latifolia blooms (Jan)Apr-May(Jul).
Where in California does Aliciella latifolia subsp. latifolia grow?
Aliciella latifolia subsp. latifolia occurs in San Bernardino, Imperial, San Diego, Riverside, Inyo, Kern, at elevations of < 1800 m.
What plant family does Aliciella latifolia subsp. latifolia belong to?
Aliciella latifolia subsp. latifolia is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Aliciella.
What habitat does Aliciella latifolia subsp. latifolia grow in?
Aliciella latifolia subsp. latifolia grows in Common. Rocky slopes, washes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.