Cryptantha clevelandii var. florosa
Coastal cryptantha
Photo: parent species Cryptantha clevelandii · (c) Cricket Raspet, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Cryptantha clevelandii var. florosa (Coastal cryptantha) is a native California herb in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by 40 co-occurring species. Key features: larger flowers, yellow appendages, spreading ovoid calyx, more nutlets.
Coastal cryptantha is a California native annual found in the Tehama, Central Western, northern South Coast, Channel Islands, Western Transverse Ranges, southern San Gabriel Mountains, and eastern Peninsular Ranges in sandy or rocky coastal scrub, chaparral, and foothill woodland at elevations from sea level to 2,070 meters. Flowering from March to June, this delicate plant produces small white flowers with yellow appendages in tight clusters. Growing with slender stems up to 20 centimeters tall, it forms spreading or ascending plants with fine, bristly character. Its leaves are appressed-hairy, creating a soft, textured appearance across the plant's surface. The fruit consists of small nutlets, typically three or four, nestled within a bristly, spreading calyx.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 40 co-occurring species. Key features: larger flowers, yellow appendages, spreading ovoid calyx, more nutlets.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common; sandy or rocky soils, sedimentary based substrates, stabilized sand deposits, chaparral, coastal scrub, foothill woodland
Elevation: 0-2070 m
California counties: Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, San Diego, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Orange, Ventura, Marin, Santa Cruz, Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Napa
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Cryptantha clevelandii var. florosa blooms Mar-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 clevelandii var. florosa native to California?
Yes. Cryptantha clevelandii var. florosa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cryptantha clevelandii var. florosa bloom?
Cryptantha clevelandii var. florosa blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Cryptantha clevelandii var. florosa grow?
Cryptantha clevelandii var. florosa occurs in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, San Diego, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Orange, Ventura, Marin and other counties, at elevations of 0-2070 m.
What plant family does Cryptantha clevelandii var. florosa belong to?
Cryptantha clevelandii var. florosa is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Cryptantha.
What habitat does Cryptantha clevelandii var. florosa grow in?
Cryptantha clevelandii var. florosa grows in Common; sandy or rocky soils, sedimentary based substrates, stabilized sand deposits, chaparral, coastal scrub, foothill woodland.
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.