Castilleja ambigua subsp. ambigua
johnny-nip
(c) 1999 John Game, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Orobanchaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Castilleja ambigua subsp. ambigua (johnny-nip) is a native California herb in the Orobanchaceae family, recognized by annual habit distinctive.
Johnny-nip is a California native annual found in northern coastal California, including the southern North Coast Ranges and central Coast Ranges, growing in coastal bluffs and grasslands at elevations below 500 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces distinctive yellow flowers with bracts that have acute or rounded tips and a lower lip with tiny teeth about 1 millimeter long. Growing as an upright, non-fleshy annual with slender stems, it forms delicate clusters of flowering branches. Its foliage consists of narrow, pointed leaves that complement the bright yellow floral display. The small seeds are approximately 1 millimeter in size, typical of its delicate coastal habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 21 sympatric species, annual habit distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal bluffs, grassland
Elevation: < 500 m
California counties: Marin, Sonoma, Mendocino, San Mateo, Alameda, Napa, Monterey, Del Norte, Contra Costa, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, Humboldt, San Francisco
Bloom period
Castilleja ambigua subsp. ambigua blooms May-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
How to tell it apart
vs Triphysaria: Castilleja lacks the sharp fold in flower throat; Triphysaria has abrupt crease above lower lip.; vs Trifolium: Castilleja has tubular flowers with colorful bracts; Trifolium has round heads of pea-like flowers and three leaflets.; vs Pedicularis: Castilleja has open forward beak and colorful bracts; Pedicularis has closed hood and fern-like leaves.; vs Orthocarpus: Castilleja has open beak you can see into; Orthocarpus has closed hood covering stamens completely.; vs Epilobium: Castilleja has tubular two-lipped flowers and colorful bracts; Epilobium has four separate petals arranged in cross.
Frequently asked questions
Is Castilleja ambigua subsp. ambigua native to California?
Yes. Castilleja ambigua subsp. ambigua is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Castilleja ambigua subsp. ambigua bloom?
Castilleja ambigua subsp. ambigua blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Castilleja ambigua subsp. ambigua grow?
Castilleja ambigua subsp. ambigua occurs in Marin, Sonoma, Mendocino, San Mateo, Alameda, Napa, Monterey, Del Norte and other counties, at elevations of < 500 m.
What plant family does Castilleja ambigua subsp. ambigua belong to?
Castilleja ambigua subsp. ambigua is in the Orobanchaceae family, genus Castilleja.
Is Castilleja ambigua subsp. ambigua rare or endangered?
Castilleja ambigua subsp. ambigua carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S3S4.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Castilleja ambigua subsp. humboldtiensis — Humboldt bay owl's-clover
- Castilleja ambigua subsp. insalutata — pink Johnny-nip
- Castilleja ambigua var. heckardii — Heckard's owl's- clover
- Castilleja ambigua var. meadii — Mead's owls- clover
- Castilleja angustifolia var. flavescens — northwestern paintbrush
- Castilleja applegatei — Pine indian paintbrush
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.