Downingia bacigalupii
Bach's calicoflower
(c) Asher Budnik, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Campanulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Downingia bacigalupii (Bach's calicoflower) is a native California herb in the Campanulaceae family, recognized by orange-yellow spots and papery fruit walls.
Bach's calicoflower is a California native annual found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Sierra Nevada, and Modoc Plateau in vernal pools and grassy meadows at elevations below 2,000 meters. Flowering from April to August, this delicate plant produces distinctive blue flowers with a striking lower lobe featuring a central white area and two oblong orange-yellow spots, occasionally accented by diffuse purple markings near the throat. Growing with slender stems typically 15 to 30 centimeters tall, the plant emerges in seasonal wet habitats. Its leaves are narrow and elongated, adapting to the ephemeral nature of vernal pool environments. The fruit develops 25 to 45 millimeters long with papery walls that easily rupture when dry, helping to disperse its uniquely lined seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; key features are orange-yellow spots and papery fruit walls
Habitat and range
Habitat: Vernal pools, grassy meadows
Elevation: < 2000 m
California counties: Modoc, Del Norte, Butte, Sierra, Lassen, Plumas, Shasta, Contra Costa, Siskiyou, Nevada, Tehama, Trinity, San Diego, Humboldt, Alpine, Yuba
Outside California: to southern Oregon, southwestern Idaho, northeastern Nevada
Bloom period
Downingia bacigalupii blooms Apr-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Porterella: Downingia flowers lack yellow ridges; Porterella has two distinctive yellow ridges on the lower lip.; vs Nemacladus: Downingia has showy blue flowers sitting on stem; Nemacladus has threadlike flowers on long stalks.; vs Legenere: Downingia has blue two-lipped flowers; Legenere has small white flowers with nearly equal petals.; vs Lobelia: Downingia is a vernal pool annual; Lobelia is perennial with spherical seed pods.; vs Howellia: Downingia flowers have no stalk; Howellia has short but visible flower stalks 1-8mm long.
Frequently asked questions
Is Downingia bacigalupii native to California?
Yes. Downingia bacigalupii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Downingia bacigalupii bloom?
Downingia bacigalupii blooms Apr-Aug.
Where in California does Downingia bacigalupii grow?
Downingia bacigalupii occurs in Modoc, Del Norte, Butte, Sierra, Lassen, Plumas, Shasta, Contra Costa and other counties, at elevations of < 2000 m.
What plant family does Downingia bacigalupii belong to?
Downingia bacigalupii is in the Campanulaceae family, genus Downingia.
What habitat does Downingia bacigalupii grow in?
Downingia bacigalupii grows in Vernal pools, grassy meadows.
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.