Cryptantha clementina
San clemente island dune cryptantha
(c) Melanie J. Davis, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Melanie J. Davis · licence
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Cryptantha clementina (San clemente island dune cryptantha) is a native California annual in the Boraginaceae family.
San clemente island dune cryptantha is a California native annual herb found on San Clemente Island in dunes or sandy coastal flats near the immediate coast at elevations of 9 to 60 meters. Flowering from March to April, this plant produces small white flowers with a corolla 3 to 4 millimeters in diameter. Growing 5 to 15 centimeters tall with spreading to decumbent stems that are densely branched and covered in stiff, ascending white hairs, it has a distinctive appearance. Its narrow oblanceolate leaves, 1.5 to 2.5 centimeters long, are rough-hairy on both surfaces with white hairs that have tiny bulbous bases. The fruit consists of four brown nutlets, each 1.4 to 1.6 millimeters long, densely covered in small papillae and low tubercles.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated - island endemic in dune habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dunes or sandy coastal flats near immediate coast
Elevation: 9-60 m
Bloom period
Cryptantha clementina blooms Mar-Apr.
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 clementina native to California?
Yes. Cryptantha clementina is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cryptantha clementina bloom?
Cryptantha clementina blooms Mar-Apr.
What plant family does Cryptantha clementina belong to?
Cryptantha clementina is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Cryptantha.
What habitat does Cryptantha clementina grow in?
Cryptantha clementina grows in Dunes or sandy coastal flats near immediate coast.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.