Calystegia malacophylla
Sierra false bindweed
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Family: Convolvulaceae · Type: Vine · Native
Calystegia malacophylla (Sierra false bindweed) is a native California vine in the Convolvulaceae family, recognized by no sympatric species.
Sierra false bindweed is a California native perennial herb found in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in montane habitats at elevations up to 1,800 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces pure white flowers 20 to 45 millimeters long with delicate, softly spreading petals. Growing with decumbent to ascending stems 10 to 100 centimeters long that can climb or trail across the landscape, it spreads via underground rhizomes. Its leaves are distinctively narrow and triangular, typically less than 6 centimeters long with slightly pointed or notched tips and lobes that may have one or two points. The plant is characterized by its soft, dense hairs covering both stems and sepals, giving it a velvety, tomentose appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; no sympatric species
Habitat and range
California counties: Fresno, Kern, Tulare, Butte, Tuolumne, Trinity, Ventura, Placer, Inyo, Shasta, Sierra, Plumas, Mariposa, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, Siskiyou, Santa Barbara, Tehama, Stanislaus, San Benito, Monterey, Madera, Nevada
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 malacophylla native to California?
Yes. Calystegia malacophylla is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Calystegia malacophylla grow?
Calystegia malacophylla occurs in Fresno, Kern, Tulare, Butte, Tuolumne, Trinity, Ventura, Placer and other counties.
What plant family does Calystegia malacophylla belong to?
Calystegia malacophylla is in the Convolvulaceae family, genus Calystegia.
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.