Cryptantha wigginsii
Wiggins's cryptantha
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Cryptantha wigginsii (Wiggins's cryptantha) is a native California herb in the Boraginaceae family.
Wiggins's cryptantha is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in coastal sage and maritime sage scrub, typically on semibarren clay slopes at elevations of 0 to 300 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces small white flowers with yellow appendages in delicate clusters. Growing with multiple branching stems 10 to 40 centimeters tall, covered in sparse appressed and spreading short rough hairs, the plant has a distinctive sparse and bristly appearance. Its linear to narrowly oblanceolate leaves, 1 to 4 centimeters long, are densely covered with appressed hairs and short bulbous-based bristles on both surfaces. Its small dark brown to gray nutlets are uniquely marked with a shiny proximal half and a densely wart-like tubercled distal half, creating an intricate textural surface.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated - distinctive bicolored tubercled seeds
Habitat and range
Habitat: Semibarren clay slopes, less commonly silty or occasionally silty-sand soil, coastal sage or maritime sage scrub
Elevation: 0-300 m
Outside California: coastal Baja California
Bloom period
Cryptantha wigginsii blooms Mar-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 wigginsii native to California?
Yes. Cryptantha wigginsii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cryptantha wigginsii bloom?
Cryptantha wigginsii blooms Mar-May.
What plant family does Cryptantha wigginsii belong to?
Cryptantha wigginsii is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Cryptantha.
Is Cryptantha wigginsii rare or endangered?
Cryptantha wigginsii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1.
What habitat does Cryptantha wigginsii grow in?
Cryptantha wigginsii grows in Semibarren clay slopes, less commonly silty or occasionally silty-sand soil, coastal sage or maritime sage scrub.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Cryptantha affinis — Side-grooved cryptantha
- Cryptantha ambigua — Wilkes's cryptantha
- Cryptantha barbigera — Bearded cryptantha
- Cryptantha barbigera var. barbigera — Bearded cryptantha
- Cryptantha barbigera var. fergusoniae — Palm springs cryptantha
- Cryptantha catalinensis — Santa catalina island cryptantha
- Cynoglossum officinale — Common hound's tongue
- Cynoglossum sp. — Hound's tongue
- Echium candicans — Pride of madeira
- Echium pininana — Tower of jewels
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.