Castilleja rubicundula subsp. lithospermoides
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Orobanchaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Castilleja rubicundula subsp. lithospermoides is a native California herb in the Orobanchaceae family, recognized by yellow flowers distinguish from other cream sacs subspecies.
Red owl's clover is a California native annual found in northern Coast Ranges, Cascade Range foothills, central Coast, and San Francisco Bay Area in open grassland at elevations below 900 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces bright yellow flowers with distinctive tubular corollas. Growing with delicate, upright stems reaching 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it emerges as a slender, fragile annual herb. Its leaves are narrow and lance-shaped, alternating along the stem with fine, linear divisions. In its delicate form, red owl's clover adds subtle color to coastal and foothill grassland ecosystems during the spring flowering season.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 35 sympatric species; yellow flowers distinguish from other cream sacs subspecies
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open grassland
Elevation: < 900 m
California counties: Lake, Santa Clara, San Luis Obispo, Colusa, Marin, Contra Costa, Tehama, Solano, Napa, Humboldt, Mendocino, Alameda, Sonoma, San Mateo, Merced, Monterey, Butte, Santa Cruz, Trinity, Shasta, Placer, Modoc, Yolo, El Dorado, Yuba
Outside California: southwestern Oregon
Bloom period
Castilleja rubicundula subsp. lithospermoides blooms Apr-Jun.
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 rubicundula subsp. lithospermoides native to California?
Yes. Castilleja rubicundula subsp. lithospermoides is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Castilleja rubicundula subsp. lithospermoides bloom?
Castilleja rubicundula subsp. lithospermoides blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Castilleja rubicundula subsp. lithospermoides grow?
Castilleja rubicundula subsp. lithospermoides occurs in Lake, Santa Clara, San Luis Obispo, Colusa, Marin, Contra Costa, Tehama, Solano and other counties, at elevations of < 900 m.
What plant family does Castilleja rubicundula subsp. lithospermoides belong to?
Castilleja rubicundula subsp. lithospermoides is in the Orobanchaceae family, genus Castilleja.
What habitat does Castilleja rubicundula subsp. lithospermoides grow in?
Castilleja rubicundula subsp. lithospermoides grows in Open 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.