Collinsia childii
Child's blue eyed mary
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Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Collinsia childii (Child's blue eyed mary) is a native California herb in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by 2 large seeds diagnostic.
Child's blue eyed mary is a California native annual found in central Sierra Nevada, Tehachapi, southern Coastal Ranges, Transverse Ranges, and Peninsular Ranges in shaded slopes and open oak and mixed-conifer woodland at elevations of 1,000 to 2,200 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces white to pale lavender flowers 6 to 9 millimeters long with an upper lip approximately equal to the lower lip. Growing with slender stems 8 to 35 centimeters tall, it forms an open, glandular inflorescence with spreading to ascending flower clusters. Its leaves are oblong to oblanceolate, generally flat and entire or finely toothed, with a tapered base measuring 2 to 3 millimeters wide. Each plant produces two seeds approximately 3 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 17 sympatric species; 2 large seeds diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Shaded slopes, open oak and mixed-conifer woodland
Elevation: 1000-2200 m
California counties: San Diego, Kern, Tulare, San Bernardino, Mariposa, Monterey, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Riverside, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, Fresno, Sierra, El Dorado, Madera, Lassen, Alameda
Bloom period
Collinsia childii blooms (Apr)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 childii native to California?
Yes. Collinsia childii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Collinsia childii bloom?
Collinsia childii blooms (Apr)May-Jul.
Where in California does Collinsia childii grow?
Collinsia childii occurs in San Diego, Kern, Tulare, San Bernardino, Mariposa, Monterey, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and other counties, at elevations of 1000-2200 m.
What plant family does Collinsia childii belong to?
Collinsia childii is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Collinsia.
What habitat does Collinsia childii grow in?
Collinsia childii grows in Shaded slopes, open oak and mixed-conifer woodland.
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.