Downingia pusilla
Dwarf downingia, Dwarf Downingia
(c) Adam J. Searcy, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Campanulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Downingia pusilla (Dwarf downingia) is a native California herb in the Campanulaceae family, recognized by tiny non-inverting flowers and spiral-lined seeds.
Dwarf downingia is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native annual found in southern North Coast Ranges, North Coast interior, Sacramento Valley, northern and central San Joaquin Valley, and northern San Francisco Bay in vernal pools and roadside ditches at elevations to 150 meters. Flowering from March to May, this delicate plant produces white or blue flowers 2.5 to 4 millimeters long with distinctive yellow spots near the throat. Growing with slender stems reaching just a few centimeters tall, it forms small, compact clusters in seasonal wet areas. Its tiny leaves are narrow and understated, complementing the diminutive flower structure with its triangular lobes. The fruit develops 15 to 27 millimeters long with tough lateral walls, bearing seeds with distinctive spiral lines that appear twisted.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species; key features are tiny non-inverting flowers and spiral-lined seeds
Habitat and range
Habitat: Vernal pools, roadside ditches
Elevation: < +- 150 m (488 m, NCoRI)
California counties: Solano, Napa, Stanislaus, Fresno, Sonoma, Tehama, Sacramento, Merced, Yuba, San Joaquin, Calaveras, Placer
Outside California: Chile
Bloom period
Downingia pusilla blooms Mar-May.
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 pusilla native to California?
Yes. Downingia pusilla is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Downingia pusilla bloom?
Downingia pusilla blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Downingia pusilla grow?
Downingia pusilla occurs in Solano, Napa, Stanislaus, Fresno, Sonoma, Tehama, Sacramento, Merced and other counties, at elevations of < +- 150 m (488 m, NCoRI).
What plant family does Downingia pusilla belong to?
Downingia pusilla is in the Campanulaceae family, genus Downingia.
Is Downingia pusilla rare or endangered?
Downingia pusilla carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S2.
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.