Downingia pulchella
Flatface calicoflower
(c) D Defreese, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Campanulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Downingia pulchella (Flatface calicoflower) is a native California herb in the Campanulaceae family, recognized by broad obtuse petal lobes and exserted anthers.
Flatface calicoflower is a California native annual found in northern coastal regions, southern Tehama County, central and southern Sacramento Valley, San Joaquin Valley, central Coast, southern San Francisco Bay Area, and northern Santa Clara County in vernal pools and roadside ditches at elevations below 400 meters. Flowering from April to June, this delicate plant produces blue and white flowers with distinctive lower petals featuring deep blue lower lips with a central white area containing two ovate yellow spots and three purple spots. Growing with slender stems less than 30 centimeters tall, it forms low-spreading clusters in wet seasonal habitats. Its leaves are typically small and narrow, adapting to the ephemeral wetland environments where it thrives. The flower's complex color pattern of blue, white, yellow, and purple makes it a striking visual highlight in spring vernal pool landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species; key features are broad obtuse petal lobes and exserted anthers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Vernal pools, roadside ditches
Elevation: < 400 m (1300 m, s Teh)
California counties: Alameda, Monterey, Contra Costa, San Benito, Solano, Kern, Lassen, Santa Clara, Ventura, Colusa, San Diego, Madera, Siskiyou, Yolo, Butte, Merced, Sacramento, El Dorado, Tulare, San Joaquin, Yuba, Napa, Mendocino
Bloom period
Downingia pulchella blooms Apr-Jun.
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 pulchella native to California?
Yes. Downingia pulchella is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Downingia pulchella bloom?
Downingia pulchella blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Downingia pulchella grow?
Downingia pulchella occurs in Alameda, Monterey, Contra Costa, San Benito, Solano, Kern, Lassen, Santa Clara and other counties, at elevations of < 400 m (1300 m, s Teh).
What plant family does Downingia pulchella belong to?
Downingia pulchella is in the Campanulaceae family, genus Downingia.
What habitat does Downingia pulchella grow in?
Downingia pulchella grows in Vernal pools, roadside ditches.
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.