Collinsia bartsiifolia var. stricta
White 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. stricta (White blue eyed mary) is a native California herb in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by unequal lips and entire lateral lobes diagnostic.
White blue eyed mary is a California native annual herb found in the Sierra Nevada Foothills and central Sierra Nevada Mountains, particularly around Wawona, in chaparral, open oak woodland, and dry mixed woodland at elevations of 700 to 1,300 meters. Flowering from May to July, this delicate plant produces fleshy pink to lavender flowers with 8 to 12 millimeters long corollas, featuring an upper lip that covers half to two-thirds of the lower lip and occasional purple-tipped lobes with purple basal spots. Growing 12 to 35 centimeters tall with an upright and slender form, it has a delicate branching structure typical of annual wildflowers. Its leaves are arranged along the stems, creating a fine, structured appearance characteristic of the Collinsia genus. The flower's unique coloration and distinctive two-lipped corolla make this blue eyed mary a charming component of its woodland and chaparral habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species; unequal lips and entire lateral lobes diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, open oak woodland, dry mixed woodland
Elevation: 700-1300 m
Bloom period
Collinsia bartsiifolia var. stricta blooms May-Jul.
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. stricta native to California?
Yes. Collinsia bartsiifolia var. stricta is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Collinsia bartsiifolia var. stricta bloom?
Collinsia bartsiifolia var. stricta blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Collinsia bartsiifolia var. stricta belong to?
Collinsia bartsiifolia var. stricta is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Collinsia.
What habitat does Collinsia bartsiifolia var. stricta grow in?
Collinsia bartsiifolia var. stricta grows in Chaparral, open oak woodland, dry mixed woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.