Downingia ornatissima var. mirabilis
Folded calicoflower
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Family: Campanulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Downingia ornatissima var. mirabilis (Folded calicoflower) is a native California herb in the Campanulaceae family, recognized by backward-projecting horn and hairy reflexed petal tips.
Folded calicoflower is a California native annual found in the southern Sacramento Valley and San Joaquin Valley in vernal pools and roadside ditches at elevations up to 160 meters. Flowering from April to May, this delicate plant produces flowers with distinctive upper corolla lobes that are densely hairy near the tips, with petals that may be reflexed or slightly curved. Growing low to the ground with slender, branching stems typical of annual wildflowers, it forms compact clusters in seasonal wet areas. Its leaves are likely narrow and deeply green, adapting to the ephemeral nature of its vernal pool habitat. The flower's intricate design, with its hairy upper lobes, makes this small annual a remarkable feature of California's seasonal wetland landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 12 sympatric species; key features are backward-projecting horn and hairy reflexed petal tips
Habitat and range
Habitat: Vernal pools, roadside ditches
Elevation: < +- 160(230) m
Bloom period
Downingia ornatissima var. mirabilis blooms Apr-May.
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 var. mirabilis native to California?
Yes. Downingia ornatissima var. mirabilis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Downingia ornatissima var. mirabilis bloom?
Downingia ornatissima var. mirabilis blooms Apr-May.
What plant family does Downingia ornatissima var. mirabilis belong to?
Downingia ornatissima var. mirabilis is in the Campanulaceae family, genus Downingia.
What habitat does Downingia ornatissima var. mirabilis grow in?
Downingia ornatissima var. mirabilis grows in Vernal pools, roadside ditches.
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.