Downingia laeta
Great basin downingia, Great Basin Downingia
(c) Gabriel Campbell-Martinez, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Campanulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Downingia laeta (Great basin downingia) is a native California herb in the Campanulaceae family, recognized by small non-inverting flowers shorter than sepals.
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.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; key features are small non-inverting flowers shorter than sepals
Habitat and range
Habitat: Ditches, ponds, streams, vernal pools
Elevation: 1200-2200 m
California counties: Lassen, Modoc
Outside California: to south-central Canada, Montana, Wyoming, Utah
Bloom period
Downingia laeta blooms May-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
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 laeta native to California?
Yes. Downingia laeta is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Downingia laeta bloom?
Downingia laeta blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Downingia laeta grow?
Downingia laeta occurs in Lassen, Modoc, at elevations of 1200-2200 m.
What plant family does Downingia laeta belong to?
Downingia laeta is in the Campanulaceae family, genus Downingia.
Is Downingia laeta rare or endangered?
Downingia laeta carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.