Downingia concolor var. concolor
Maroonspot calicoflower
Photo: parent species Downingia concolor · (c) Chaye Vail, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Campanulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Downingia concolor var. concolor (Maroonspot calicoflower) is a native California herb in the Campanulaceae family, recognized by single square purple spot.
Maroonspot calicoflower is a California native annual found in southern North Coast Ranges, southern Sacramento Valley, San Francisco Bay Area, and northern South Coast Ranges in vernal pools, mud flats, pond and lake margins, and roadside ditches at elevations below 550 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces delicate blue to white flowers with distinctive maroon spots. Growing with slender, branching stems up to 20 centimeters tall, it forms compact clusters in seasonal wet areas. Its leaves are narrow and lance-shaped, alternating along the stem with lower leaves typically wider and more spread out. The fruit develops 30 to 50 millimeters long, remaining closed and gradually releasing seeds as the plant matures.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species; key feature is single square purple spot
Habitat and range
Habitat: Vernal pools, mud flats, pond and lake margins, roadside ditches
Elevation: < 550 m
California counties: Solano, Sonoma, Lake, Napa, Santa Clara, San Benito, Marin
Bloom period
Downingia concolor var. concolor blooms Apr-Jul.
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 var. concolor native to California?
Yes. Downingia concolor var. concolor is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Downingia concolor var. concolor bloom?
Downingia concolor var. concolor blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Downingia concolor var. concolor grow?
Downingia concolor var. concolor occurs in Solano, Sonoma, Lake, Napa, Santa Clara, San Benito, Marin, at elevations of < 550 m.
What plant family does Downingia concolor var. concolor belong to?
Downingia concolor var. concolor is in the Campanulaceae family, genus Downingia.
What habitat does Downingia concolor var. concolor grow in?
Downingia concolor var. concolor grows in Vernal pools, mud flats, pond and lake margins, roadside ditches.
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.