Downingia elegans
Elegant calicoflower
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Family: Campanulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Downingia elegans (Elegant calicoflower) is a native California herb in the Campanulaceae family, recognized by deep lateral sinuses and papery fruit walls.
Elegant calicoflower is a California native annual found in northwestern California in vernal pools and grassy meadows at elevations below 1,600 meters. Flowering from June to September, this delicate plant produces distinctive blue flowers with a central white area, ranging from 5 to 18 millimeters long with acute lower lobes. Growing with slender stems typically 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it forms graceful, delicate clusters in seasonal wetland habitats. Its leaves are narrow and elongated, complementing the flower's intricate blue and white coloration. The fruit develops 25 to 45 millimeters long with papery walls that easily rupture when dry, revealing seeds with distinctive longitudinal lines.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; key features are deep lateral sinuses and papery fruit walls
Habitat and range
Habitat: Vernal pools, grassy meadows
Elevation: < 1600 m
Outside California: to British Columbia, Idaho
Bloom period
Downingia elegans blooms Jun-Sep.
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 elegans native to California?
Yes. Downingia elegans is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Downingia elegans bloom?
Downingia elegans blooms Jun-Sep.
What plant family does Downingia elegans belong to?
Downingia elegans is in the Campanulaceae family, genus Downingia.
What habitat does Downingia elegans grow in?
Downingia elegans grows in Vernal pools, grassy meadows.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.