Downingia ornatissima
Folded calicoflower
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Family: Campanulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Downingia ornatissima (Folded calicoflower) is a native California herb in the Campanulaceae family, recognized by Backward-projecting horn in the sinus between the 2 upper corolla lobes.
Folded calicoflower is a California native annual herb found in lower elevation grassland habitats. Flowering from April to June, this delicate plant produces lavender-blue flowers with distinctive white and yellow central markings, featuring unique purple spots near the throat. Growing with slender stems typically 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it forms compact clusters in seasonal meadows. Its leaves are narrow and elongated, arranged alternately along the stem. The flower's unusual corolla has an intriguing structural detail, with a backward-projecting horn between its two upper lobes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Backward-projecting horn in the sinus between the 2 upper corolla lobes
Habitat and range
California counties: Butte, Madera, Yolo, San Joaquin, Merced, Sacramento, Solano, Stanislaus, Mariposa, Calaveras, Placer, Contra Costa, Tehama, Fresno, Sutter, Tulare, Tuolumne, San Francisco
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 ornatissima native to California?
Yes. Downingia ornatissima is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Downingia ornatissima grow?
Downingia ornatissima occurs in Butte, Madera, Yolo, San Joaquin, Merced, Sacramento, Solano, Stanislaus and other counties.
What plant family does Downingia ornatissima belong to?
Downingia ornatissima is in the Campanulaceae family, genus Downingia.
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.