Cryptantha hispidula
Napa cryptantha
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Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Cryptantha hispidula (Napa cryptantha) is a native California herb in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by 16 co-occurring species. Key features: large flowers with yellow appendages, late-persistent corolla, plump basally-swollen nutlets.
Napa cryptantha is a California native annual herb found in the Klamath Ranges and northern Coast Ranges in semi-barren gravelly outcrops, serpentine areas, chaparral, and foothill woodland at elevations of 200 to 950 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces small white flowers with yellow appendages in delicate cymes. Growing 10 to 40 centimeters tall with slender, generally erect stems that are sparsely covered in stiff, spreading hairs, it has a distinctive sparse and bristly appearance. Its narrow linear leaves, 0.5 to 2 centimeters long, are sparsely covered with fine, bulbous-based bristles that give the plant a rough texture. The fruit consists of smooth, shiny nutlets 1.7 to 2.2 millimeters long, typically mottled gray-brown with a lance-ovate shape.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 16 co-occurring species. Key features: large flowers with yellow appendages, late-persistent corolla, plump basally-swollen nutlets.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Locally common. Semi-barren gravelly outcrops, slopes, serpentine endemic, chaparral, foothill woodland
Elevation: 200-950 m
California counties: Lake, Napa, Colusa, Trinity, El Dorado, Tehama, Mendocino, Solano, Sonoma
Bloom period
Cryptantha hispidula 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 hispidula native to California?
Yes. Cryptantha hispidula is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cryptantha hispidula bloom?
Cryptantha hispidula blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Cryptantha hispidula grow?
Cryptantha hispidula occurs in Lake, Napa, Colusa, Trinity, El Dorado, Tehama, Mendocino, Solano and other counties, at elevations of 200-950 m.
What plant family does Cryptantha hispidula belong to?
Cryptantha hispidula is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Cryptantha.
What habitat does Cryptantha hispidula grow in?
Cryptantha hispidula grows in Locally common. Semi-barren gravelly outcrops, slopes, serpentine endemic, chaparral, 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.