Amsinckiopsis kingii var. harknessii
Northern great basin popcornflower, Northern Great Basin Popcornflower
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jim Morefield · licence
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Amsinckiopsis kingii var. harknessii (Northern great basin popcornflower) is a native California herb in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by (var. kingii); key differences are plant architecture and fruit inflorescence structure.
Northern great basin popcornflower is a California native annual found in central Sierra Nevada and Great Basin regions in dry, open slopes, sagebrush scrub, saltbush scrub, and juniper woodland at elevations of 1,200 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces small white flowers in compact, tightly coiled clusters. Growing with multiple ascending stems 5 to 15 centimeters tall, it forms delicate, branching clusters. Its narrow leaves measure less than one centimeter wide, providing a subtle, understated foliage. The plant's compact growth and tightly wound fruiting clusters distinguish this small but resilient annual of California's interior landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species (var. kingii); key differences are plant architecture and fruit inflorescence structure
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, open slopes, sagebrush scrub, saltbush scrub, juniper woodland
Elevation: 1200-2300 m
California counties: Mono, Lassen, Inyo, Siskiyou, Humboldt
Outside California: to southeastern Oregon, western Utah
Bloom period
Amsinckiopsis kingii var. harknessii blooms May-Jul.
Frequently asked questions
Is Amsinckiopsis kingii var. harknessii native to California?
Yes. Amsinckiopsis kingii var. harknessii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Amsinckiopsis kingii var. harknessii bloom?
Amsinckiopsis kingii var. harknessii blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Amsinckiopsis kingii var. harknessii grow?
Amsinckiopsis kingii var. harknessii occurs in Mono, Lassen, Inyo, Siskiyou, Humboldt, at elevations of 1200-2300 m.
What plant family does Amsinckiopsis kingii var. harknessii belong to?
Amsinckiopsis kingii var. harknessii is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Amsinckiopsis.
What habitat does Amsinckiopsis kingii var. harknessii grow in?
Amsinckiopsis kingii var. harknessii grows in Dry, open slopes, sagebrush scrub, saltbush scrub, juniper woodland.
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.