Cryptantha hooveri
Hoover's cryptantha
(c) Rachel Stringham, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Rachel Stringham · licence
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1A
Cryptantha hooveri (Hoover's cryptantha) is a native California herb in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by . CNPS 1A (extinct). San Joaquin Valley endemic, distinctive head-like flower clusters.
Hoover's cryptantha is a rare (CNPS 1A) California native annual found in north and central San Joaquin Valley grasslands on dry, coarse sandy flats and hills at elevations below 110 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces small white flowers in tightly clustered, head-like cymes with thread-like bracts scattered throughout. Growing 5 to 15 centimeters tall with erect stems that are dense-strigose and occasionally branching at the base, it has a distinctive appearance in grassland habitats. Its numerous leaves are linear to narrow spoon-shaped, 1 to 2.5 centimeters long, typically folded or inrolled and covered with strigose hairs that have bulbous bases. The fruit consists of 3 or 4 gray or tan nutlets, each 1.2 to 1.5 millimeters long, with a wide-ovate shape and a shiny, fine-papillate surface.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated. CNPS 1A (extinct). San Joaquin Valley endemic, distinctive head-like flower clusters.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, coarse sand, flats and hills, grasslands
Elevation: < 110 m
California counties: Merced, Madera, Stanislaus, Contra Costa, San Joaquin
Bloom period
Cryptantha hooveri blooms (Mar)Apr-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1A
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 hooveri native to California?
Yes. Cryptantha hooveri is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cryptantha hooveri bloom?
Cryptantha hooveri blooms (Mar)Apr-May.
Where in California does Cryptantha hooveri grow?
Cryptantha hooveri occurs in Merced, Madera, Stanislaus, Contra Costa, San Joaquin, at elevations of < 110 m.
What plant family does Cryptantha hooveri belong to?
Cryptantha hooveri is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Cryptantha.
Is Cryptantha hooveri rare or endangered?
Cryptantha hooveri carries California Rare Plant Rank 1A, state rank SH.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Cryptantha incana — Tulare cryptantha
- Cryptantha intermedia — Clearwater cryptantha
- Cryptantha intermedia var. intermedia — Common cryptantha
- Cryptantha intermedia var. johnstonii — Johnston's cryptantha
- Cryptantha juniperensis — Rigid cryptantha
- Cryptantha kinkiensis — San clemente island upland cryptantha
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · 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.