Cryptantha traskiae
Trask's cryptantha
(c) william_hoyer, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Cryptantha traskiae (Trask's cryptantha) is a native California herb in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by bracts throughout inflorescence diagnostic.
Trask's cryptantha is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found on San Clemente and San Nicolas islands in rocky, gravelly, and occasionally sandy open sites at elevations of 5 to 200 meters. Flowering from February to June, this plant produces small white flowers with delicate corolla limbs approximately 1.5 to 2 millimeters in diameter. Growing 5 to 20 centimeters tall with slender, erect stems branching throughout and covered in strigose hairs, it appears delicate and sparse. Its linear to narrow-oblong leaves measure 0.5 to 2 centimeters long, covered in rough ascending hairs with sparse bristles emerging from bulbous bases. The fruit consists of 3 to 4 small nutlets, each 1.2 to 1.4 millimeters long, mottled brown and slightly flattened with a rounded margin.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 16 sympatric species - bracts throughout inflorescence diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky, gravelly, to sandy open sites, occasionally stabilized dunes
Elevation: 5-200 m
California counties: Los Angeles, Ventura
Bloom period
Cryptantha traskiae blooms Feb-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 traskiae native to California?
Yes. Cryptantha traskiae is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cryptantha traskiae bloom?
Cryptantha traskiae blooms Feb-Jun.
Where in California does Cryptantha traskiae grow?
Cryptantha traskiae occurs in Los Angeles, Ventura, at elevations of 5-200 m.
What plant family does Cryptantha traskiae belong to?
Cryptantha traskiae is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Cryptantha.
Is Cryptantha traskiae rare or endangered?
Cryptantha traskiae carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.