Castilleja campestris subsp. succulenta
Succulent owl's-clover, Succulent Owl's-Clover
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Family: Orobanchaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2 · Threatened
Castilleja campestris subsp. succulenta (Succulent owl's-clover) is a native California herb in the Orobanchaceae family, recognized by unique succulent leaves and bract arrangement.
Succulent owl's-clover is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in southern Sierra Nevada Foothills, southeastern Sacramento Valley, and eastern San Joaquin Valley in vernal pools and moist places at elevations below 750 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces yellow to orange flowers in dense inflorescences where the bracts prominently extend beyond the flower petals. Growing with delicate stems up to 30 centimeters tall, it has a slender and somewhat fragile appearance. Its leaves are distinctively thick and lanceolate, with a brittle texture that gives the plant its succulent characteristic. In favorable conditions, this distinctive vernal pool annual creates stunning displays of golden-orange blooms across seasonal wetland landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 20 sympatric species, unique succulent leaves and bract arrangement
Habitat and range
Habitat: Vernal pools, moist places
Elevation: < 750 m
California counties: Solano, Fresno, Madera, Merced, Stanislaus
Bloom period
Castilleja campestris subsp. succulenta blooms Apr-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2 · Threatened
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 campestris subsp. succulenta native to California?
Yes. Castilleja campestris subsp. succulenta is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Castilleja campestris subsp. succulenta bloom?
Castilleja campestris subsp. succulenta blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Castilleja campestris subsp. succulenta grow?
Castilleja campestris subsp. succulenta occurs in Solano, Fresno, Madera, Merced, Stanislaus, at elevations of < 750 m.
What plant family does Castilleja campestris subsp. succulenta belong to?
Castilleja campestris subsp. succulenta is in the Orobanchaceae family, genus Castilleja.
Is Castilleja campestris subsp. succulenta rare or endangered?
Castilleja campestris subsp. succulenta carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.