Cryptantha incana
Tulare cryptantha
(c) Ryan Donnelly, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ryan Donnelly · licence
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Cryptantha incana (Tulare cryptantha) is a native California herb in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by . CNPS 1B.3. High elevation SW Sierra endemic, fragrant flowers with deep yellow appendages.
Tulare cryptantha is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native annual found in southwestern Sierra Nevada Mountains in granitic gravelly or rocky soils of open conifer forest and occasional chaparral at elevations of 1,770 to 3,000 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces small deep yellow flowers with prominent corolla appendages. Growing 15 to 50 centimeters tall with slender, erect stems branching throughout and covered in strigose hairs that ascend and spread. Its leaves are 1 to 3.5 centimeters long, oblong to narrow-oblanceolate, bristly on the underside with some bristles having bulbous bases. The fruit consists of one to three nutlets, 1.5 to 2 millimeters long, pale to dark gray and generally smooth with a shiny surface.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated. CNPS 1B.3. High elevation SW Sierra endemic, fragrant flowers with deep yellow appendages.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Granitic gravelly or rocky soils, open conifer forest, occasionally chaparral
Elevation: 1770-3000 m
Bloom period
Cryptantha incana blooms May-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
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 incana native to California?
Yes. Cryptantha incana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cryptantha incana bloom?
Cryptantha incana blooms May-Aug.
What plant family does Cryptantha incana belong to?
Cryptantha incana is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Cryptantha.
Is Cryptantha incana rare or endangered?
Cryptantha incana carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S2.
What habitat does Cryptantha incana grow in?
Cryptantha incana grows in Granitic gravelly or rocky soils, open conifer forest, occasionally chaparral.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Cryptantha leiocarpa — Beach cryptantha
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.