Collomia larsenii
Talus collomia
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Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Collomia larsenii (Talus collomia) is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by perennial habit and high-elevation volcanic talus habitat.
Talus collomia is a rare California native perennial herb ranked 2B.2 by CNPS, found in the northern eastern Sierra Nevada near Lassen, Magee peaks, and Little Mount Hoffman in volcanic talus habitat at elevations of 2,225 to 3,500 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces light to deep purple flowers with blue pollen in small clusters of 6 to 9 blossoms. Growing in dense tufts from slender rhizomes with short, branched stems less than 5 centimeters tall, it forms compact clusters with glandular-hairy stems. Its leaves are intricately divided into narrow, linear-oblong lobes that emerge from elongated, clasping leaf stems, with each blade less than 2 centimeters long and covered in glandular hairs. The plant's distinctive blue pollen and compact growth form make it a unique inhabitant of high-elevation volcanic landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; diagnostic perennial habit and high-elevation volcanic talus habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Volcanic talus
Elevation: 2225-3500 m
California counties: Shasta, Tehama, Siskiyou
Outside California: to Washington
Bloom period
Collomia larsenii blooms Jun-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Gilia: Collomia has entire lanceolate leaves and flowers in leafy-bracted terminal heads; Gilia has pinnately lobed or dissected basal leaves and more open inflorescences.; vs Navarretia: Collomia has soft, entire leaves and unarmed bracts; Navarretia (pincushion) has spine-tipped, often pinnately spiny bracts and prickly heads.; vs Allophyllum: Collomia leaves are entire and herbage is not skunky; Allophyllum has lobed to pinnatifid leaves and a skunk-like odor with glandular herbage.; vs Leptosiphon: Collomia has undivided lanceolate leaves; Leptosiphon and Linanthus have palmately dissected, needle-like, finger-whorled leaf lobes.; vs Microsteris: Collomia has funnel-shaped flowers in leafy terminal clusters; Microsteris is a tiny annual with small pink-and-yellow salverform flowers in the leaf axils.
Frequently asked questions
Is Collomia larsenii native to California?
Yes. Collomia larsenii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Collomia larsenii bloom?
Collomia larsenii blooms Jun-Sep.
Where in California does Collomia larsenii grow?
Collomia larsenii occurs in Shasta, Tehama, Siskiyou, at elevations of 2225-3500 m.
What plant family does Collomia larsenii belong to?
Collomia larsenii is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Collomia.
Is Collomia larsenii rare or endangered?
Collomia larsenii carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.