Downingia cuspidata
Toothed calicoflower
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Family: Campanulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Downingia cuspidata (Toothed calicoflower) is a native California herb in the Campanulaceae family, recognized by key diagnostic feature is spiral-lined twisted-appearing seeds.
Toothed calicoflower is a California native annual found in northern California regions including the North Coast Ranges, Cascade Ranges, Sierra Nevada Foothills, Central Valley, San Francisco Bay Area, southern Coast Ranges, Peninsular Ranges, and Modoc Plateau in vernal pools, lake margins, and meadows at elevations below 1,700 meters. Flowering from March to June, this delicate plant produces distinctive blue to lavender flowers with white centers featuring two yellow spots near the throat, creating a complex and striking bloom pattern. Growing with slender stems to 30 to 40 centimeters tall, it develops a compact and intricate form typical of vernal pool wildflowers. Its leaves are narrow and elongated, supporting the delicate flower structure with a light, airy appearance. The fruit develops 20 to 72 millimeters long with translucent seed walls that feature distinctive spiral-twisted seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 19 sympatric species; key diagnostic feature is spiral-lined twisted-appearing seeds
Habitat and range
Habitat: Vernal pools, lake margins, meadows
Elevation: < 1700 m
Outside California: Mexico
Bloom period
Downingia cuspidata blooms Mar-Jun.
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 cuspidata native to California?
Yes. Downingia cuspidata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Downingia cuspidata bloom?
Downingia cuspidata blooms Mar-Jun.
What plant family does Downingia cuspidata belong to?
Downingia cuspidata is in the Campanulaceae family, genus Downingia.
What habitat does Downingia cuspidata grow in?
Downingia cuspidata grows in Vernal pools, lake margins, 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.