Castilleja exserta subsp. exserta
Photo: parent species Castilleja exserta · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Orobanchaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Castilleja exserta subsp. exserta is a native California herb in the Orobanchaceae family, recognized by general habitat and morphology described.
Purple owl's clover is a California native annual found in northwestern California, Sierra Nevada foothills, Great Valley, central western California, southwestern California, and western Mojave Desert regions in open fields and grasslands at elevations below 1,600 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces pale yellow to rose and purple flowers with white-tipped bracts in distinctive narrow inflorescences. Growing with slender upright stems that branch from the base, it reaches heights of 10 to 40 centimeters with a delicate, open growth habit. Its leaves are narrow and lance-shaped, alternately arranged along the stem, typically 2 to 6 centimeters long and divided into thin, linear segments. The flower bracts are particularly striking, with lobes over 2 millimeters long and colored in soft gradients of pale yellow, rose, and purple.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 41 sympatric species; general habitat and morphology described
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open fields, grassland
Elevation: < 1600 m
California counties: Kern, Riverside, Tulare, Colusa, Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, Ventura, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Fresno, Santa Clara, Monterey, Santa Barbara, El Dorado, Contra Costa, Trinity, Merced, Lake, Glenn, Butte, Tehama, Madera, San Joaquin, San Benito, Amador, Alameda, Santa Cruz, Tuolumne, Napa, Mariposa, Solano, Sonoma, Calaveras, Sutter, Humboldt, Stanislaus, Sacramento, Nevada, San Mateo, Yolo, Mendocino, Plumas, Marin
Outside California: Arizona
Bloom period
Castilleja exserta subsp. exserta blooms Mar-May.
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 exserta subsp. exserta native to California?
Yes. Castilleja exserta subsp. exserta is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Castilleja exserta subsp. exserta bloom?
Castilleja exserta subsp. exserta blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Castilleja exserta subsp. exserta grow?
Castilleja exserta subsp. exserta occurs in Kern, Riverside, Tulare, Colusa, Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, Ventura and other counties, at elevations of < 1600 m.
What plant family does Castilleja exserta subsp. exserta belong to?
Castilleja exserta subsp. exserta is in the Orobanchaceae family, genus Castilleja.
What habitat does Castilleja exserta subsp. exserta grow in?
Castilleja exserta subsp. exserta grows in Open fields, grassland.
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.