Aliciella micromeria
Dainty aliciella
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Aliciella micromeria (Dainty aliciella) is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by smallest flowers and reduced stamen number diagnostic.
Dainty aliciella is a California native annual found in the Great Basin region, specifically in Modoc and Inyo counties, growing in rocky or sandy, generally saline soil at elevations of 1,200 to 1,670 meters. Flowering from March to June, this delicate plant produces white to lavender flowers with pale yellow throats in small clusters. Growing with many thread-like branches spreading at nearly right angles, it reaches 4 to 14 centimeters tall with a distinctive glandular-puberulent stem structure. Its lower leaves are 1 to 6 centimeters long with pinnate lobes, while upper leaves are narrow and entire. Small spherical fruits about 3 millimeters long contain 6 to 24 seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; smallest flowers and reduced stamen number diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Rocky or sandy, generally saline soil
Elevation: 1200-1670 m
Outside California: to Oregon, Colorado
Bloom period
Aliciella micromeria blooms Mar-Jun.
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 micromeria native to California?
Yes. Aliciella micromeria is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Aliciella micromeria bloom?
Aliciella micromeria blooms Mar-Jun.
What plant family does Aliciella micromeria belong to?
Aliciella micromeria is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Aliciella.
What habitat does Aliciella micromeria grow in?
Aliciella micromeria grows in Uncommon. Rocky or sandy, generally saline soil.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.