Calystegia subacaulis subsp. subacaulis
Photo: parent species Calystegia subacaulis · (c) D Defreese, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Convolvulaceae · Type: Vine · Native
Calystegia subacaulis subsp. subacaulis is a native California vine in the Convolvulaceae family, recognized by basal rosette growth form and very short stems.
Coastal morning-glory is a California native perennial found in southern North Coast Ranges and San Francisco Bay Area in dry, open scrub or woodland at elevations below 500 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces white or pink flowers with distinctive, widely ovate bracts 7 to 17 millimeters long. Growing with very short stems typically around 2 centimeters tall, it forms a basal rosette of leaves that often extends above the flowers. Its leaves are widely rounded to pointed, forming a low-growing cluster that spreads close to the ground. The plant is characterized by sparse to moderately dense short hairs that spread or curve back along its stems and leaves.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; basal rosette growth form and very short stems are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, open scrub or woodland
Elevation: < 500 m
California counties: Alameda, Marin, Contra Costa, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Sonoma, Solano, Monterey, Lake, San Luis Obispo, San Benito
Bloom period
Calystegia subacaulis subsp. subacaulis blooms Apr-Jun.
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 subacaulis subsp. subacaulis native to California?
Yes. Calystegia subacaulis subsp. subacaulis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Calystegia subacaulis subsp. subacaulis bloom?
Calystegia subacaulis subsp. subacaulis blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Calystegia subacaulis subsp. subacaulis grow?
Calystegia subacaulis subsp. subacaulis occurs in Alameda, Marin, Contra Costa, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Sonoma and other counties, at elevations of < 500 m.
What plant family does Calystegia subacaulis subsp. subacaulis belong to?
Calystegia subacaulis subsp. subacaulis is in the Convolvulaceae family, genus Calystegia.
What habitat does Calystegia subacaulis subsp. subacaulis grow in?
Calystegia subacaulis subsp. subacaulis grows in Dry, open scrub or woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Calystegia vanzuukiae — Van Zuuk's morning-glory
- Calystegia atriplicifolia subsp. buttensis — Butte county morning-glory
- Calystegia collina — Coast range false bindweed
- Calystegia collina subsp. collina
- Calystegia collina subsp. oxyphylla — Mount saint helena morning-glory
- Calystegia collina subsp. tridactylosa — Three-fingered morning-glory
- Convolvulaceae sp. — Morning-glory family
- Convolvulus althaeoides — Hollyhock bindweed
- Convolvulus arvensis — Bindweed
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.