Gayophytum diffusum subsp. parviflorum
Photo: parent species Gayophytum diffusum · (c) Justin, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Justin · licence
Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Gayophytum diffusum subsp. parviflorum is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by . Key features: small petals, stigma not exserted, seeds occasionally in 2 rows.
Spreading barrier nailseed is a California native annual found in northwestern California, the Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, Transverse Ranges, Peninsular Ranges, and Great Basin in open montane forest and sagebrush scrub at elevations of 800 to 3,700 meters. Flowering from May to September, this delicate plant produces tiny white to pale pink flowers with petals 1.2 to 3 millimeters long. Growing with diffuse, branching stems that spread widely across the ground, it forms an open, wandering habit. Its leaves are small and deeply divided, creating a feathery, light green appearance across the landscape. The fruit contains seeds occasionally arranged in two overlapping rows within each chamber, contributing to its unique reproductive strategy.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species. Key features: small petals, stigma not exserted, seeds occasionally in 2 rows
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Open montane forest, sagebrush scrub
Elevation: 800-3700 m
California counties: El Dorado, Los Angeles, Kern, Tuolumne, Mono, San Bernardino, Riverside, Alpine, Tulare, Siskiyou, San Diego, Orange, Trinity, Modoc, Nevada, Fresno, Inyo, Lassen, Plumas, Humboldt, Ventura, Tehama, Placer, Madera, Santa Barbara, Sierra, Butte, Mendocino, Amador, Mariposa, Calaveras, Glenn, Shasta, Colusa, Lake, Del Norte
Bloom period
Gayophytum diffusum subsp. parviflorum blooms May-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Epilobium: Gayophytum is a wiry, much-branched annual with tiny flowers and short straight capsules whose seeds lack plumes; Epilobium has long linear capsules that split to release seeds tufted with hairs (coma).; vs Camissonia: Gayophytum has a very short or absent floral tube, so the petals appear to sit right on the ovary; the Camissonia group has a distinct floral tube above the ovary and generally yellow flowers.; vs Oenothera: Gayophytum is a slender diffuse annual with minute (1-2 mm) flowers; Oenothera (evening primrose) has large showy flowers on a long floral tube.; vs Clarkia: Gayophytum flowers are tiny with plain entire petals; Clarkia has larger, often lobed or clawed petals and 4-grooved capsules.; vs Eremothera: Gayophytum has a threadlike branching habit with short capsules held along the stem; Eremothera and Chylismia have basal rosette leaves and longer tubular-based flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gayophytum diffusum subsp. parviflorum native to California?
Yes. Gayophytum diffusum subsp. parviflorum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Gayophytum diffusum subsp. parviflorum bloom?
Gayophytum diffusum subsp. parviflorum blooms May-Sep.
Where in California does Gayophytum diffusum subsp. parviflorum grow?
Gayophytum diffusum subsp. parviflorum occurs in El Dorado, Los Angeles, Kern, Tuolumne, Mono, San Bernardino, Riverside, Alpine and other counties, at elevations of 800-3700 m.
What plant family does Gayophytum diffusum subsp. parviflorum belong to?
Gayophytum diffusum subsp. parviflorum is in the Onagraceae family, genus Gayophytum.
What habitat does Gayophytum diffusum subsp. parviflorum grow in?
Gayophytum diffusum subsp. parviflorum grows in Common. Open montane forest, sagebrush scrub.
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.