Cryptantha barbigera var. barbigera
Bearded cryptantha
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Cryptantha barbigera var. barbigera (Bearded cryptantha) is a native California annual in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by 45 co-occurring species. Distinguished from var. fergusoniae by smaller, unscented flowers and different calyx hair pattern.
Bearded cryptantha is a California native annual found in southern Sierra Nevada, Tehachapi, southern San Joaquin Valley, southern Sierra Nevada eastern edge, and desert regions in open, sandy to rocky soils within creosote-bush scrub and desert woodland at elevations of 15 to 1,860 meters. Flowering from February to June, this plant produces small white flowers with delicate corollas 1 to 2.5 millimeters in diameter. Growing with slender stems 10 to 20 centimeters tall, it forms compact clusters in arid landscapes. Its leaves are narrow and sparse, ranging from 1 to 5 centimeters long, with distinctive soft-bristled margins that give the plant its "bearded" character. The fruit consists of small lance-ovate nutlets 1.5 to 2 millimeters long with acute tips.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 45 co-occurring species. Distinguished from var. fergusoniae by smaller, unscented flowers and different calyx hair pattern.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, sandy to rocky soils, generally in creosote-bush scrub, desert woodland
Elevation: 15-1860(2250) m
California counties: Kern, San Bernardino, Inyo, Riverside, Imperial, Los Angeles, San Diego
Outside California: to Utah, New Mexico, Baja California
Bloom period
Cryptantha barbigera var. barbigera blooms Feb-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Plagiobothrys: Seeds have a groove down the inner face, not a raised ridge like Plagiobothrys.; vs Johnstonella: Cryptantha nutlets have grooves; Johnstonella nutlets lack distinct grooves on inner face.; vs Eremocarya: Cryptantha has grooved nutlets; Eremocarya nutlets are smooth without grooves.; vs Phacelia: Cryptantha has coiled flower clusters; Phacelia flowers are in looser, more open arrangements.; vs Pectocarya: Seeds lack the comb-like marginal barbs that give Pectocarya its combseed name.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cryptantha barbigera var. barbigera native to California?
Yes. Cryptantha barbigera var. barbigera is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cryptantha barbigera var. barbigera bloom?
Cryptantha barbigera var. barbigera blooms Feb-Jun.
Where in California does Cryptantha barbigera var. barbigera grow?
Cryptantha barbigera var. barbigera occurs in Kern, San Bernardino, Inyo, Riverside, Imperial, Los Angeles, San Diego, at elevations of 15-1860(2250) m.
What plant family does Cryptantha barbigera var. barbigera belong to?
Cryptantha barbigera var. barbigera is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Cryptantha.
What habitat does Cryptantha barbigera var. barbigera grow in?
Cryptantha barbigera var. barbigera grows in Open, sandy to rocky soils, generally in creosote-bush scrub, desert woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Cryptantha barbigera var. fergusoniae — Palm springs cryptantha
- Cryptantha catalinensis — Santa catalina island cryptantha
- Cryptantha clementina — San clemente island dune cryptantha
- Cryptantha clevelandii — Cleveland's cryptantha
- Cryptantha clevelandii var. clevelandii — Cleveland's cryptantha
- Cryptantha clevelandii var. florosa — Coastal cryptantha
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.