Downingia pulcherrima
Calicoflower
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Family: Campanulaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Downingia pulcherrima (Calicoflower) is a native California annual in the Campanulaceae family, recognized by unequal sepals and easily fractured fruit walls.
Calicoflower is a California native annual found in the Klamath Ranges and Cascade Range in edges of lakes, ponds, vernal pools, and roadside ditches at elevations of 500 to 1,560 meters. Flowering from April to July, this delicate plant produces distinctive blue and white flowers about 7 to 10 millimeters long, with a lower lip featuring a white central area adorned with two yellow spots flanked by three purple spots near the throat. Growing with slender stems reaching up to 30 centimeters tall, the plant has a delicate and intricate structure. Its leaves are arranged to complement the unique flower shape, contributing to the plant's overall elegant appearance. The fruit develops to 20 to 30 millimeters long with thin lateral walls that can easily fracture.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; key features are unequal sepals and easily fractured fruit walls
Habitat and range
Habitat: Edges of lakes, ponds, vernal pools, roadside ditches
Elevation: 500-1560 m
Outside California: to Washington, generally eastern of Cascade Range
Bloom period
Downingia pulcherrima blooms Apr-Jul.
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 pulcherrima native to California?
Yes. Downingia pulcherrima is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Downingia pulcherrima bloom?
Downingia pulcherrima blooms Apr-Jul.
What plant family does Downingia pulcherrima belong to?
Downingia pulcherrima is in the Campanulaceae family, genus Downingia.
What habitat does Downingia pulcherrima grow in?
Downingia pulcherrima grows in Edges of lakes, ponds, vernal pools, roadside ditches.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-08
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.