Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia var. chrysanthemifolia
Common eucrypta
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia var. chrysanthemifolia (Common eucrypta) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by larger flowers and inflorescences, lower elevation coastal habitat.
Common eucrypta is a California native annual found in southern Sierra Nevada Foothill woodlands, Tehachapi, southern San Joaquin Valley, Central Western, and Southwestern regions in roadsides, burns, coastal bluffs, and ravines at elevations below 1,000 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces white to pale lavender flowers in small clusters with corolla limbs 4 to 8 millimeters in diameter. Growing with ascending to erect stems that are sometimes decumbent, it reaches heights of 10 to 30 centimeters. Its proximal leaves are large, 2 to 10 centimeters long and 1 to 5 centimeters wide, with 9 to 13 distinctive lobes. The small fruits are approximately 2 to 4 millimeters in diameter.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; distinguished by larger flowers and inflorescences, lower elevation coastal habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Roadsides, burns, coastal bluffs, ravines
Elevation: < 1000 m
California counties: San Diego, Kern, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Benito, Riverside, Solano, Orange, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Yolo, Fresno, Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, Marin, Napa, Imperial, Alpine, Santa Cruz
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia var. chrysanthemifolia blooms Mar-Jun.
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 var. chrysanthemifolia native to California?
Yes. Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia var. chrysanthemifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia var. chrysanthemifolia bloom?
Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia var. chrysanthemifolia blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia var. chrysanthemifolia grow?
Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia var. chrysanthemifolia occurs in San Diego, Kern, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Benito, Riverside and other counties, at elevations of < 1000 m.
What plant family does Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia var. chrysanthemifolia belong to?
Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia var. chrysanthemifolia is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Eucrypta.
What habitat does Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia var. chrysanthemifolia grow in?
Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia var. chrysanthemifolia grows in Roadsides, burns, coastal bluffs, ravines.
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.