Collinsia greenei
Greene's blue eyed mary
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Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Collinsia greenei (Greene's blue eyed mary) is a native California herb in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by dark purple flowers and crested projections diagnostic.
Greene's blue eyed mary is a California native annual found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, and inner northern Coast Ranges in open chaparral and conifer forest, particularly on serpentine slopes at elevations of 300 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from April to August, this plant produces dark purple flowers approximately 10 to 15 millimeters long with distinctive upper lip lobes featuring two crested projections that bulge more than 1 millimeter from the throat opening. Growing 10 to 30 centimeters tall with a distinctive candelabra-like purple stem, it develops an interrupted, glandular inflorescence. Its leaves are narrowly lanceolate to ovate, ranging from entire to slightly toothed with obtuse tips, creating a delicate green backdrop for the intense purple blossoms. The plant produces 2 to 4 wafer-like, slightly concave seeds that complete its distinctive reproductive cycle.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 15 sympatric species; dark purple flowers and crested projections diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open chaparral or conifer forest, serpentine slopes
Elevation: 300-2500 m
California counties: Trinity, Lake, Sonoma, Mendocino, Glenn, Humboldt, Tehama, Napa, Shasta, Stanislaus, Lassen, Butte, Colusa, Siskiyou, Del Norte, San Luis Obispo, Fresno, Mariposa
Bloom period
Collinsia greenei blooms Apr-Aug.
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 greenei native to California?
Yes. Collinsia greenei is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Collinsia greenei bloom?
Collinsia greenei blooms Apr-Aug.
Where in California does Collinsia greenei grow?
Collinsia greenei occurs in Trinity, Lake, Sonoma, Mendocino, Glenn, Humboldt, Tehama, Napa and other counties, at elevations of 300-2500 m.
What plant family does Collinsia greenei belong to?
Collinsia greenei is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Collinsia.
What habitat does Collinsia greenei grow in?
Collinsia greenei grows in Open chaparral or conifer forest, serpentine slopes.
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.