Cryptantha dumetorum
Scrambling cryptantha, Scrambling Cryptantha
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jim Morefield · licence
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Cryptantha dumetorum (Scrambling cryptantha) is a native California herb in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by 45 co-occurring species. Key features: sprawling brittle stems, 4 dissimilar nutlets (1 large persistent, 3 small deciduous), unusual….
Scrambling cryptantha is a California native annual herb found on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, eastern Tehachapi, northern Transverse Ranges, southern Sierra Nevada eastern slopes, Mojave Desert, and northern Sonoran Desert in sandy soils, dunes, and slopes at elevations of 250 to 1,400 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces small white flowers in delicate, sparse cymes. Growing with sprawling, prostrate to ascending stems 10 to 60 centimeters long, it has brittle branches covered in stiff, ascending hairs. Its linear to lanceolate leaves are 0.5 to 3 centimeters long, slightly succulent and rough-textured with sparse ascending hairs. The fruit consists of four distinctive nutlets, with one larger lance-ovate nutlet and three smaller lanceolate nutlets that are white-tubercled and dull.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 45 co-occurring species. Key features: sprawling brittle stems, 4 dissimilar nutlets (1 large persistent, 3 small deciduous), unusual calyx structure.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy soils, dunes, slopes, or occasionally gravelly washes, generally under/on other plants
Elevation: 250-1400 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Riverside, Kern, Inyo, San Diego, Los Angeles, Imperial, San Luis Obispo, Monterey
Outside California: to southwestern Utah
Bloom period
Cryptantha dumetorum blooms Mar-May.
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 dumetorum native to California?
Yes. Cryptantha dumetorum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cryptantha dumetorum bloom?
Cryptantha dumetorum blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Cryptantha dumetorum grow?
Cryptantha dumetorum occurs in San Bernardino, Riverside, Kern, Inyo, San Diego, Los Angeles, Imperial, San Luis Obispo and other counties, at elevations of 250-1400 m.
What plant family does Cryptantha dumetorum belong to?
Cryptantha dumetorum is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Cryptantha.
What habitat does Cryptantha dumetorum grow in?
Cryptantha dumetorum grows in Sandy soils, dunes, slopes, or occasionally gravelly washes, generally under/on other plants.
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.