Crucianella angustifolia
Narrow leafed crucianella
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Family: Rubiaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Crucianella angustifolia (Narrow leafed crucianella) is a non-native California herb in the Rubiaceae family, recognized by Limited naturalized populations, only Crucianella species established in California.
Narrow leafed crucianella is a naturalized annual found in southern Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, southern Cascade Range, northern Sierra Nevada, and eastern Sacramento Valley in disturbed grasslands, foothill woodlands, and yellow-pine forests at elevations of 30 to 1,100 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces white or yellow flowers in dense, narrow, grass-like inflorescences 2.5 to 7.5 centimeters long. Growing with erect or slightly decumbent stems 12 to 30 centimeters tall, it has distinctively 4-angled stems. Its leaves are arranged in whorls of 4, linear in shape and 8 to 25 millimeters long, with scarious bracts featuring green ribs and sharp tips. The fruit is glabrous and characteristically compact within the dense flowering structure.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Limited naturalized populations, only Crucianella species established in California
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas in grassland, foothill woodland, yellow-pine forest
Elevation: 30-1100 m
California counties: Butte, Tehama, Amador, Shasta, Nevada, Sutter, Yuba
Outside California: Idaho, native to Europe
Bloom period
Crucianella angustifolia blooms Apr-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Diodia: Crucianella has whorled leaves and terminal spikes; Diodia has opposite leaves and flowers at leaf joints.; vs Kelloggia: Crucianella has whorled leaves and dense spikes; Kelloggia has opposite leaves and open airy clusters.; vs Sherardia: Crucianella has cylindrical spikes and no sepals; Sherardia has head-like clusters with petal-like sepals.; vs Galium: Crucianella has dense bottlebrush spikes; Galium has open branched clusters with tiny flowers.; vs Coprosma: Crucianella is an annual herb with dense spikes; Coprosma is a woody shrub with berries.
Frequently asked questions
Is Crucianella angustifolia native to California?
No. Crucianella angustifolia is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Crucianella angustifolia bloom?
Crucianella angustifolia blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Crucianella angustifolia grow?
Crucianella angustifolia occurs in Butte, Tehama, Amador, Shasta, Nevada, Sutter, Yuba, at elevations of 30-1100 m.
What plant family does Crucianella angustifolia belong to?
Crucianella angustifolia is in the Rubiaceae family, genus Crucianella.
What habitat does Crucianella angustifolia grow in?
Crucianella angustifolia grows in Disturbed areas in grassland, foothill woodland, yellow-pine forest.
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.