Cryptantha pterocarya var. pterocarya
Winged-nut cryptantha
Photo: parent species Cryptantha pterocarya · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Cryptantha pterocarya var. pterocarya (Winged-nut cryptantha) is a native California herb in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by dissimilar nutlets and slender green habit.
Winged-nut cryptantha is a California native annual found in southern Sierra Nevada, Tehachapi, western San Joaquin Valley, northern Transverse Ranges, eastern Peninsular Ranges, Great Basin, and Desert regions in sandy to gravelly soils at elevations of 200 to 2,630 meters. Flowering from March to July, this plant produces small, delicate white flowers in slender, uncoiled clusters. Growing with generally slender green stems, the plant forms a sparse basal rosette with narrow leaves. Its leaves are loosely arranged, with basal leaves less prominently developed, creating a light and airy appearance. The distinctive fruit features asymmetrical nutlets 1.8 to 2.8 millimeters long, with a wide-ovoid calyx that expands as the seeds mature.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 36 sympatric species; dissimilar nutlets and slender green habit
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy to gravelly soils
Elevation: (100)200-2630 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo, Kern, Mono, Los Angeles, Tulare, Imperial, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Lassen, Ventura
Outside California: to Washington, Idaho, Colorado, Arizona
Bloom period
Cryptantha pterocarya var. pterocarya 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 pterocarya var. pterocarya native to California?
Yes. Cryptantha pterocarya var. pterocarya is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cryptantha pterocarya var. pterocarya bloom?
Cryptantha pterocarya var. pterocarya blooms Mar-Jul.
Where in California does Cryptantha pterocarya var. pterocarya grow?
Cryptantha pterocarya var. pterocarya occurs in San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo, Kern, Mono, Los Angeles, Tulare, Imperial and other counties, at elevations of (100)200-2630 m.
What plant family does Cryptantha pterocarya var. pterocarya belong to?
Cryptantha pterocarya var. pterocarya is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Cryptantha.
What habitat does Cryptantha pterocarya var. pterocarya grow in?
Cryptantha pterocarya var. pterocarya grows in Sandy to gravelly soils.
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.