Epilobium canum subsp. latifolium
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Family: Onagraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Epilobium canum subsp. latifolium is a native California subshrub in the Onagraceae family.
california fuchsia is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, southern California mountains, Transverse Ranges, Peninsular Ranges, Mojave Desert, and Sonoran Desert on dry slopes and ridges at elevations of 50 to 3,300 meters. Flowering from June to December, this plant produces reddish-pink to scarlet flowers with tubular shapes that attract hummingbirds. Growing with spreading stems 10 to 50 centimeters tall, it develops a soft, hairy appearance with glandular texture. Its opposite leaves are lanceolate to ovate, ranging from nearly entire to lightly toothed with a bright green coloration. The plant forms spreading clumps with soft, hair-covered stems that give it a delicate yet resilient character.
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry slopes, ridges
Elevation: 50-3300 m
California counties: Humboldt, Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Sonoma, Tulare, San Diego, El Dorado, Tuolumne, Amador, Alpine, Lake, Trinity, Plumas, Fresno, Ventura, Madera, Mariposa, Inyo, Placer, Del Norte, Butte, Mendocino, Mono, Calaveras, Sierra, Tehama, Monterey, Nevada, Orange, Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, Sacramento, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Siskiyou, Napa, Stanislaus, Colusa, Shasta, Lassen, Yolo, Imperial, San Benito
Outside California: to southwestern Oregon, western New Mexico, northwestern Mexico
Bloom period
Epilobium canum subsp. latifolium blooms Jun-Dec.
How to tell it apart
vs Penstemon: Epilobium has 4 notched petals and opposite leaves; Penstemon has 5-lobed tubular flowers (snapdragon family).; vs Gambelia: Epilobium has 4 notched petals; Gambelia has 5-lobed tubular snapdragon-like flowers.; vs Fuchsia: Epilobium has notched petals spreading flat; Fuchsia has dangling tubular flowers with protruding stamens.; vs Keckiella: Epilobium has 4 notched petals; Keckiella has 5-lobed tubular snapdragon-like flowers.; vs Diplacus: Epilobium has 4 notched petals; Diplacus has 5-lobed tubular monkey flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Epilobium canum subsp. latifolium native to California?
Yes. Epilobium canum subsp. latifolium is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Epilobium canum subsp. latifolium bloom?
Epilobium canum subsp. latifolium blooms Jun-Dec.
Where in California does Epilobium canum subsp. latifolium grow?
Epilobium canum subsp. latifolium occurs in Humboldt, Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Sonoma, Tulare, San Diego and other counties, at elevations of 50-3300 m.
What plant family does Epilobium canum subsp. latifolium belong to?
Epilobium canum subsp. latifolium is in the Onagraceae family, genus Epilobium.
What habitat does Epilobium canum subsp. latifolium grow in?
Epilobium canum subsp. latifolium grows in dry slopes, ridges.
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.