Downingia laeta

Great basin downingia, Great Basin Downingia

Family: Campanulaceae · Type: annual · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2

Great basin downingia is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native annual found in the Modoc Plateau in ditches, ponds, streams, and vernal pools at elevations of 1,200 to 2,200 meters. Flowering from May to July, this delicate plant produces pale blue or lavender flowers with distinctive white centers featuring two yellow spots and three purple spots. Growing with slender stems up to 20 centimeters tall, it forms compact clusters in wet seasonal habitats. Its leaves are narrow and elongated, typically green and positioned alternately along the stem. The small flowers have a unique two-lipped structure with triangular lobes, creating an intricate and subtle botanical design.

Habitat: Ditches, ponds, streams, vernal pools

Bloom period: May-Jul

Elevation: 1200-2200 m

Bioregions: MP

California counties: Lassen, Modoc

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.