Cryptantha simulans
Pine cryptantha
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Cryptantha simulans (Pine cryptantha) is a native California herb in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by habitat separation key.
Pine cryptantha is a California native annual herb found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, Cascade Range, northern Sierra Nevada foothills, Sierra Nevada, Tehachapi Mountains, Transverse Ranges, eastern Peninsular Ranges, and Modoc Plateau in dry gravelly sites and open conifer forests at elevations of 450 to 2,600 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces small white flowers in delicate cymes with narrow petals. Growing 5 to 45 centimeters tall with erect, slender pale green stems that branch few and stiffly, it has a distinctive strigose hair covering. Its scattered linear to narrow-oblanceolate leaves feature fine ascending bristles with bulbous bases, giving the plant a delicate, textured appearance. The fruit consists of 3 or 4 grayish nutlets that are wide-ovate, flattened, and densely papillate with a dull surface.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 45 sympatric species - habitat separation key
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry gravelly sites, disturbed areas, generally open conifer forest
Elevation: (250)450-2600 m
California counties: Fresno, El Dorado, Santa Barbara, Mariposa, Kern, Lassen, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ventura, San Diego, Sierra, Tuolumne, Nevada, Modoc, Tehama, Tulare, Trinity, Riverside, Plumas, Madera, Amador, Mono, Calaveras, Butte, Shasta, Glenn, Siskiyou, Colusa, Alameda, Placer, Alpine, Humboldt, Mendocino, Kings
Outside California: to eastern Washington, western Idaho
Bloom period
Cryptantha simulans blooms May-Aug.
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 simulans native to California?
Yes. Cryptantha simulans is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cryptantha simulans bloom?
Cryptantha simulans blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Cryptantha simulans grow?
Cryptantha simulans occurs in Fresno, El Dorado, Santa Barbara, Mariposa, Kern, Lassen, Los Angeles, San Bernardino and other counties, at elevations of (250)450-2600 m.
What plant family does Cryptantha simulans belong to?
Cryptantha simulans is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Cryptantha.
What habitat does Cryptantha simulans grow in?
Cryptantha simulans grows in dry gravelly sites, disturbed areas, generally open conifer forest.
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.