Cryptantha sparsiflora
Few-flowered cryptantha, Few-Flowered Cryptantha
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Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Cryptantha sparsiflora (Few-flowered cryptantha) is a native California herb in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by single nutlet diagnostic.
Few-flowered cryptantha is a California native annual found in central Sierra Nevada Foothills, Tehama County, eastern San Francisco Bay Area, and southern Coast Ranges in open, dry, rocky sites, sparse grasslands, chaparral, and foothill woodlands at elevations of 300 to 1,300 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces small white flowers with delicate, nearly translucent corolla limbs less than 1.5 millimeters in diameter. Growing with a single slender stem 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it develops sparse branches and appears somewhat wispy and delicate. Its leaves are narrow and sparse, measuring 1 to 3 centimeters long, ranging from oblong to oblanceolate and covered in strigose hairs. The fruit consists of a single nutlet approximately 2 millimeters long, ovate and flattened with a sharp-angled margin and slightly shiny surface.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 31 sympatric species - single nutlet diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, dry, rocky sites, sparse grassland, chaparral, foothill woodland
Elevation: 300-1300 m
California counties: Kern, Fresno, Monterey, Ventura, Los Angeles, San Benito, El Dorado, Santa Barbara, Tulare, Stanislaus, Mariposa, San Luis Obispo
Bloom period
Cryptantha sparsiflora blooms Apr-May.
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 sparsiflora native to California?
Yes. Cryptantha sparsiflora is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cryptantha sparsiflora bloom?
Cryptantha sparsiflora blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Cryptantha sparsiflora grow?
Cryptantha sparsiflora occurs in Kern, Fresno, Monterey, Ventura, Los Angeles, San Benito, El Dorado, Santa Barbara and other counties, at elevations of 300-1300 m.
What plant family does Cryptantha sparsiflora belong to?
Cryptantha sparsiflora is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Cryptantha.
What habitat does Cryptantha sparsiflora grow in?
Cryptantha sparsiflora grows in Open, dry, rocky sites, sparse grassland, chaparral, foothill woodland.
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.