Calystegia macrostegia subsp. tenuifolia
Photo: parent species Calystegia macrostegia · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Convolvulaceae · Type: Vine · Native
Calystegia macrostegia subsp. tenuifolia is a native California vine in the Convolvulaceae family, recognized by very narrow leaves and small flowers.
morning glory is a California native perennial found in central and southern coastal regions, San Gabriel and Santa Monica Mountains, western Peninsular Ranges, and inland dry areas at elevations generally below 500 meters. Flowering in May, this plant produces white flowers with subtle pink or cream tones in large trumpet-shaped blooms 22 to 40 millimeters long. Growing with trailing or weakly climbing stems that are glabrous to slightly hairy, it spreads across the landscape with a flexible, sprawling habit. Its leaves are distinctively linear to narrowly triangular with rounded or squared sinuses, featuring delicate linear lobes that create an intricate foliage pattern. The bracts surrounding its flowers are narrowly lanceolate, 8 to 14 millimeters long with acute tips, adding to the plant's subtle architectural complexity.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; key features are very narrow leaves and small flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, +- inland areas
Elevation: generally < 500 m
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Calystegia macrostegia subsp. tenuifolia blooms May.
How to tell it apart
vs Convolvulus: Convolvulus has smaller flowers with sharply pointed stigma lobes; Calystegia stigma lobes are blunt.; vs Ipomoea: Ipomoea stigma is a single rounded knob; Calystegia stigma has two distinct flattened lobes.; vs Datura: Datura flowers are upright with pleated edges; Calystegia flowers are smooth funnels.; vs Abronia: Abronia has clusters of small tubular flowers; Calystegia has single large funnel flowers.; vs Oenothera: Oenothera has four separate petals; Calystegia petals are fused into continuous funnel.
Frequently asked questions
Is Calystegia macrostegia subsp. tenuifolia native to California?
Yes. Calystegia macrostegia subsp. tenuifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Calystegia macrostegia subsp. tenuifolia bloom?
Calystegia macrostegia subsp. tenuifolia blooms May.
What plant family does Calystegia macrostegia subsp. tenuifolia belong to?
Calystegia macrostegia subsp. tenuifolia is in the Convolvulaceae family, genus Calystegia.
What habitat does Calystegia macrostegia subsp. tenuifolia grow in?
Calystegia macrostegia subsp. tenuifolia grows in Dry, +- inland areas.
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.