Cryptantha fendleri
Sand dune cryptantha
(c) Dustin Snider, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Cryptantha fendleri (Sand dune cryptantha) is a native California herb in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by . CNPS 2B.2. Found only in Little Cowhorn Valley sand dunes.
Sand dune cryptantha is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native annual found in the Western and Inyo Mountains in Little Cowhorn Valley on sandy soils and sagebrush scrub at elevations around 2,200 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces tiny white flowers less than 1.5 millimeters in diameter. Growing 10 to 50 centimeters tall with a single main stem and many stiff, spreading branches covered in dense, rough hairs, the plant has a distinctive upright structure. Its leaves are linear to narrow oblanceolate, 1 to 5 centimeters long, covered in appressed and ascending rough hairs with bulbous-based bristles. The plant produces 3 to 4 gray or mottled nutlets that are smooth, glossy, and 1.4 to 2 millimeters long with rounded margins.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated. CNPS 2B.2. Found only in Little Cowhorn Valley sand dunes.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand dune, sandy soils, sagebrush scrub
Elevation: 2200 m
Outside California: to Washington, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico
Bloom period
Cryptantha fendleri blooms Jun-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
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 fendleri native to California?
Yes. Cryptantha fendleri is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cryptantha fendleri bloom?
Cryptantha fendleri blooms Jun-Aug.
What plant family does Cryptantha fendleri belong to?
Cryptantha fendleri is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Cryptantha.
Is Cryptantha fendleri rare or endangered?
Cryptantha fendleri carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S1.
What habitat does Cryptantha fendleri grow in?
Cryptantha fendleri grows in Sand dune, sandy soils, sagebrush scrub.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.