Cryptantha nemaclada
Colusa cryptantha
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Cryptantha nemaclada (Colusa cryptantha) is a native California herb in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by . Key features: reflexed calyx bristles, shale/clay soil preference, smooth shiny nutlets.
Colusa cryptantha is a California native annual herb found in southern North Coast Ranges Interior, Tehama, eastern Central Western California, and northwestern Western Transverse Ranges in semibarren shale outcrops, chaparral, and foothill woodland at elevations of 200 to 1,600 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces tiny white flowers with minute appendages in small clusters. Growing with slender stems 10 to 35 centimeters tall that are rough-hairy and sparingly branched, it spreads in delicate, open formations. Its linear to oblong leaves, measuring 0.5 to 2.5 centimeters long, are ascending and covered in rough hairs that give the plant a textured appearance. The fruit consists of smooth, shiny nutlets 1.7 to 2 millimeters long, lance-shaped and subtly rounded.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 37 sympatric species. Key features: reflexed calyx bristles, shale/clay soil preference, smooth shiny nutlets
Habitat and range
Habitat: Semibarren shale outcrops, slopes, sandy, loose clay soils, chaparral, foothill woodland, occasionally juniper woodland
Elevation: < 200-1600(2000) m
California counties: San Luis Obispo, Ventura, Kern, Santa Barbara, San Diego, San Benito, Monterey, San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, Colusa, Fresno, Stanislaus, Merced, Napa
Bloom period
Cryptantha nemaclada blooms Apr-Jun.
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 nemaclada native to California?
Yes. Cryptantha nemaclada is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cryptantha nemaclada bloom?
Cryptantha nemaclada blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Cryptantha nemaclada grow?
Cryptantha nemaclada occurs in San Luis Obispo, Ventura, Kern, Santa Barbara, San Diego, San Benito, Monterey, San Bernardino and other counties, at elevations of < 200-1600(2000) m.
What plant family does Cryptantha nemaclada belong to?
Cryptantha nemaclada is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Cryptantha.
What habitat does Cryptantha nemaclada grow in?
Cryptantha nemaclada grows in Semibarren shale outcrops, slopes, sandy, loose clay soils, chaparral, foothill woodland, occasionally juniper woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Cryptantha nevadensis — Nevada cryptantha
- Cryptantha oxygona — Sharp-nut cryptantha
- Cryptantha pterocarya — Winged nut forget me not
- Cryptantha pterocarya var. pterocarya — Winged-nut cryptantha
- Cryptantha pterocarya var. purpusii — Purpus' cryptantha
- Cryptantha pterocarya var. stenoloba — Narrow-lobed cryptantha
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.