Downingia concolor
Maroonspot calicoflower
(c) Chaye Vail, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Campanulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Downingia concolor (Maroonspot calicoflower) is a native California herb in the Campanulaceae family, recognized by Lower lip with a single purple, +-square spot; corolla otherwise glabrous.
Maroonspot calicoflower is a California native annual herb found in central California coastal and interior valleys in grassland and vernal pool habitats. Flowering from April to May, this delicate plant produces blue flowers with a distinctive white lower lip featuring a unique purple square-shaped spot near the throat. Growing to 10 to 30 centimeters tall with slender, branching stems, the plant develops in low, spreading clusters. Its leaves are narrow and lance-shaped, alternating along the stem with smooth margins. The flowers have a unique corolla 7 to 13 millimeters long, with upper lobes that are slightly rough and ciliate.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Lower lip with a single purple, +-square spot; corolla otherwise glabrous
Habitat and range
California counties: Lake, Trinity, Sonoma, Solano, San Diego, Santa Clara, Yolo, Monterey
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 concolor native to California?
Yes. Downingia concolor is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Downingia concolor grow?
Downingia concolor occurs in Lake, Trinity, Sonoma, Solano, San Diego, Santa Clara, Yolo, Monterey.
What plant family does Downingia concolor belong to?
Downingia concolor is in the Campanulaceae family, genus Downingia.
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.