Collinsia antonina
San antonio collinsia, San Antonio Collinsia
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Collinsia antonina (San antonio collinsia) is a native California annual in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by habitat and size diagnostic.
San antonio collinsia is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in northern Santa Lucia Mountains (Monterey County) in oak scrub margins on white shale scree at elevations of 250 to 400 meters. Flowering from March to April, this plant produces white flowers with purple lobes and delicate red-purple spots in the throat, measuring 4.5 to 8 millimeters long. Growing with compact stems 4 to 15 centimeters tall, it has a delicate, open branching structure with sparse glandular features. Its oblong leaves are crenate (scalloped), creating a soft, textured appearance along the plant's slender stems. The plant produces 6 to 8 seeds, contributing to its reproductive strategy in its specialized rocky habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; habitat and size diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Margins of oak scrub on white shale scree
Elevation: 250-400 m
California counties: Monterey
Bloom period
Collinsia antonina blooms Mar-Apr.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Penstemon: Collinsia has stamens hidden in keeled lower lip; Penstemon has stamens visible with one sterile 'beard.'; vs Stachys: Collinsia has a keeled lower petal hiding stamens; Stachys has square stems and flowers in tight whorls.; vs Lupinus: Collinsia has snapdragon-like flowers; Lupinus has pea-family flowers with banner, wings, and keel.; vs Linaria: Collinsia has keeled lower lip hiding stamens; Linaria has spurred flowers with protruding stamens.
Frequently asked questions
Is Collinsia antonina native to California?
Yes. Collinsia antonina is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Collinsia antonina bloom?
Collinsia antonina blooms Mar-Apr.
Where in California does Collinsia antonina grow?
Collinsia antonina occurs in Monterey, at elevations of 250-400 m.
What plant family does Collinsia antonina belong to?
Collinsia antonina is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Collinsia.
Is Collinsia antonina rare or endangered?
Collinsia antonina carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Collinsia bartsiifolia — White blue eyed mary
- Collinsia bartsiifolia var. bartsiifolia — White blue eyed mary
- Collinsia bartsiifolia var. davidsonii — Davidson's blue eyed mary
- Collinsia bartsiifolia var. stricta — White blue eyed mary
- Collinsia callosa — Desert collinsia
- Collinsia childii — Child's blue eyed mary
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-08
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.