Cryptantha nevadensis
Nevada cryptantha
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Cryptantha nevadensis (Nevada cryptantha) is a native California herb in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by NONE sympatric - geographically isolated. Key features: desert distribution, becomes sprawling with age.
Nevada cryptantha is a California native annual found in southwestern desert regions including the Mojave and Colorado deserts in sandy, gravelly soils of creosote-bush scrub and mixed desert woodland at elevations of 60 to 2,200 meters. Flowering from February to July, this plant produces small white flowers with minute appendages in delicate clusters. Growing 10 to 60 centimeters tall with flexuous stems that often become sprawling and supported by surrounding vegetation, it develops densely strigose stems with soft, bristly hairs. Its linear leaves measure 0.5 to 5 centimeters long, covered in appressed soft bristles with distinctive bulbous-based hairs. The fruit consists of 3 or 4 lance-ovate nutlets approximately 2 millimeters long, unevenly covered with coarse tubercles oriented toward the tapered tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: NONE sympatric - geographically isolated. Key features: desert distribution, becomes sprawling with age
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy, gravelly soils, slopes, washes, generally creosote-bush scrub, mixed desert woodland
Elevation: 60-2220(2750) m
California counties: San Bernardino, San Diego, Kern, Riverside, Inyo, Monterey, San Benito, Los Angeles, Mono, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, Merced, Stanislaus, Fresno, San Joaquin, Contra Costa, Imperial, Alameda, Tuolumne, Santa Barbara
Outside California: to Utah, Arizona, Baja California
Bloom period
Cryptantha nevadensis blooms Feb-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 nevadensis native to California?
Yes. Cryptantha nevadensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cryptantha nevadensis bloom?
Cryptantha nevadensis blooms Feb-Jul.
Where in California does Cryptantha nevadensis grow?
Cryptantha nevadensis occurs in San Bernardino, San Diego, Kern, Riverside, Inyo, Monterey, San Benito, Los Angeles and other counties, at elevations of 60-2220(2750) m.
What plant family does Cryptantha nevadensis belong to?
Cryptantha nevadensis is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Cryptantha.
What habitat does Cryptantha nevadensis grow in?
Cryptantha nevadensis grows in Sandy, gravelly soils, slopes, washes, generally creosote-bush scrub, mixed desert woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Cryptantha rattanii — Rattan's 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.