Cryptantha micromeres
Minute-flowered cryptantha
(c) Rebecca Johnson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Cryptantha micromeres (Minute-flowered cryptantha) is a native California herb in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by . Key features: minute flowers <1mm, tiny seeds 0.7-1mm, one larger seed vs three smaller.
Minute-flowered cryptantha is a California native annual found in northern and central Sierra Nevada Foothills, central western California, and southwestern regions in open sites, disturbed areas, and chaparral woodland at elevations below 1,350 meters. Flowering from March to July, this delicate plant produces tiny white flowers less than one millimeter in diameter. Growing with slender branching stems 5 to 50 centimeters tall, covered in short spreading hairs that give the plant a rough texture. Its basal rosette leaves are linear to oblong, 1 to 4.5 centimeters long, with sparse bristly hairs and bulbous-based leaf structures. The fruit consists of four distinctive nutlets, with one slightly larger nutlet that is generally smooth and three smaller white-papillate tubercled nutlets.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 37 sympatric species. Key features: minute flowers <1mm, tiny seeds 0.7-1mm, one larger seed vs three smaller
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open sites, disturbed, coarse soils, chaparral, woodland, burns
Elevation: < 1350 m
California counties: Monterey, Santa Clara, San Diego, Riverside, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Santa Cruz, Tulare, Ventura, San Mateo, San Bernardino, Amador, Marin, Alameda, Contra Costa, Mariposa, Tuolumne, Calaveras, San Luis Obispo, Alpine
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Cryptantha micromeres blooms Mar-Jul.
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 micromeres native to California?
Yes. Cryptantha micromeres is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cryptantha micromeres bloom?
Cryptantha micromeres blooms Mar-Jul.
Where in California does Cryptantha micromeres grow?
Cryptantha micromeres occurs in Monterey, Santa Clara, San Diego, Riverside, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Santa Cruz, Tulare and other counties, at elevations of < 1350 m.
What plant family does Cryptantha micromeres belong to?
Cryptantha micromeres is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Cryptantha.
What habitat does Cryptantha micromeres grow in?
Cryptantha micromeres grows in Open sites, disturbed, coarse soils, chaparral, woodland, burns.
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.