Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia
Common eucrypta
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia (Common eucrypta) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by no sympatric species.
Common eucrypta is a California native annual herb found in various bioregions across the state, growing in diverse habitats at low to moderate elevations. Flowering from March to July, this plant produces delicate white to blue-purple flowers with yellow tubes in small clusters of 4 to 15 blooms. Growing 5 to 40 centimeters tall with erect to spreading stems, it develops complex pinnately lobed leaves that range from 2 to 10 centimeters long, with wider basal leaves having obtuse lobes and smaller, narrower upper leaves. Its leaves feature interesting structural details, with petioles less than half the blade length and bases that clasp the stem, creating a distinctive botanical silhouette. The fruit contains 5 to 8 seeds of two different types, with inner seeds being persistent and outer seeds readily deciduous.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated from all congeners; no sympatric species
Habitat and range
California counties: Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange, Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Monterey, Santa Clara, Kern, San Benito, Alameda, Contra Costa, Inyo, San Luis Obispo, Imperial, Tuolumne, Colusa, Marin, Solano, Tulare, Mariposa
How to tell it apart
vs Phacelia: Eucrypta feels very sticky to touch and retains seeds in fruit; Phacelia is typically non-sticky and seeds fall out cleanly.; vs Pholistoma: Eucrypta has finely divided fern-like leaves; Pholistoma has broader, less divided leaves with backward-pointing bristles.; vs Nemophila: Eucrypta has very sticky herbage and tiny flowers; Nemophila is non-sticky with showy saucer-shaped flowers.; vs Cryptantha: Eucrypta has fern-like divided leaves; Cryptantha has simple narrow leaves covered in stiff hairs.; vs Emmenanthe: Eucrypta flowers spread outward; Emmenanthe flowers hang downward like bells and become papery when dry.
Frequently asked questions
Is Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia native to California?
Yes. Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia grow?
Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia occurs in Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange, Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Monterey and other counties.
What plant family does Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia belong to?
Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Eucrypta.
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.