Collinsia bartsiifolia var. davidsonii
Davidson's blue eyed mary
Photo: parent species Collinsia bartsiifolia · (c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Collinsia bartsiifolia var. davidsonii (Davidson's blue eyed mary) is a native California herb in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by size and flower color diagnostic from other varieties.
Davidson's blue eyed mary is a California native annual found in southern Coastal Ranges, northern Transverse Ranges, and western Mojave Desert regions in open, sandy places at elevations of 500 to 1,300 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces pale lavender to pink-purple flowers with delicate upper lobes often lighter than the lower lobes. Growing 5 to 20 centimeters tall with an upright, slender form, the plant has a delicate branching structure. Its flowers feature distinctive corolla lips approximately 9 to 14 millimeters long, with lateral lobes that are slightly notched. The plant thrives in sandy, open landscapes, creating small clusters of soft-colored blooms against sparse terrain.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 15 sympatric species; size and flower color diagnostic from other varieties
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, sandy places
Elevation: 500-1300 m
California counties: San Luis Obispo, Kern, Los Angeles, Monterey, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Benito, San Bernardino, Alameda, Santa Clara, Fresno, Madera, Nevada, Mariposa, Tulare, Calaveras, Riverside
Bloom period
Collinsia bartsiifolia var. davidsonii blooms Apr-Jun.
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 bartsiifolia var. davidsonii native to California?
Yes. Collinsia bartsiifolia var. davidsonii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Collinsia bartsiifolia var. davidsonii bloom?
Collinsia bartsiifolia var. davidsonii blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Collinsia bartsiifolia var. davidsonii grow?
Collinsia bartsiifolia var. davidsonii occurs in San Luis Obispo, Kern, Los Angeles, Monterey, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Benito, San Bernardino and other counties, at elevations of 500-1300 m.
What plant family does Collinsia bartsiifolia var. davidsonii belong to?
Collinsia bartsiifolia var. davidsonii is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Collinsia.
What habitat does Collinsia bartsiifolia var. davidsonii grow in?
Collinsia bartsiifolia var. davidsonii grows in Open, sandy places.
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.