Antirrhinum nuttallianum
Island snapdragon
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Antirrhinum nuttallianum (Island snapdragon) is a native California herb in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by key diagnostic feature is unique gold throat hairs.
Island snapdragon is a California native annual found in coastal and interior regions, growing in varied habitats from low to moderate elevations. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces lavender to blue-purple flowers with distinctive white blotches and gold hairs in the mouth, creating a delicate 7 to 12 millimeters long bloom. Growing with erect but weak stems that often cling to other plants or debris, it reaches heights typically between 15 to 45 centimeters tall. Its leaves are small and delicate, with ovate blades less than 60 millimeters long, featuring acute tips and short petioles. The plant produces minute cleistogamous white flowers alongside its more showy open blooms, with fruits that are oblique-ovoid and uniquely dehiscent through three pores at the tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; key diagnostic feature is unique gold throat hairs
Habitat and range
California counties: San Diego, San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, Ventura, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo
How to tell it apart
vs Linaria: Antirrhinum has a bulging sac at flower base; Linaria has a long backward-pointing spur.; vs Sairocarpus: Antirrhinum has hairy plants with twining flower stalks; Sairocarpus is glabrous with straight stalks.; vs Penstemon: Antirrhinum has closed snapdragon mouth with 4 stamens; Penstemon has open throat with 5 stamens (one sterile).; vs Salvia: Antirrhinum has 4 stamens hidden inside; Salvia has 2 stamens arching out of hooded upper lip.; vs Rosa: Antirrhinum has tubular two-lipped flowers; Rosa has flat open flowers with 5 separate petals and thorny stems.
Frequently asked questions
Is Antirrhinum nuttallianum native to California?
Yes. Antirrhinum nuttallianum is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Antirrhinum nuttallianum grow?
Antirrhinum nuttallianum occurs in San Diego, San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, Ventura, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo.
What plant family does Antirrhinum nuttallianum belong to?
Antirrhinum nuttallianum is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Antirrhinum.
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.