Gilia achilleifolia subsp. achilleifolia
(c) Drew Avery, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Gilia achilleifolia subsp. achilleifolia is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by head-like inflorescence and flower size.
Gilia achilleifolia is a California native annual found in the San Francisco Bay and south coastal ranges in open or shaded grassy places at elevations of 60 to 1,200 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces lavender flowers with delicate corollas 10 to 21 millimeters long, creating distinctive hemispheric clusters. Growing with spreading to erect branches and reaching moderate heights, it develops complex inflorescences containing 8 to 25 individual flowers. Its leaves display intricate branching patterns with flowers featuring tufted-woolly hairy calyxes that add textural complexity to the plant. Small ovoid fruits measuring 3 to 6.2 millimeters develop, containing reddish-brown seeds that are approximately 1.5 to 2.3 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 21 sympatric species - distinguished by head-like inflorescence and flower size
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open or shaded, generally grassy places, sandy or rocky soil
Elevation: 60-1200 m
California counties: San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Monterey, Sonoma, Alameda, Marin, Contra Costa, San Bernardino, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, San Benito, Fresno, Stanislaus, San Diego
Bloom period
Gilia achilleifolia subsp. achilleifolia blooms Mar-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Saltugilia: Gilia has white cobwebby or sharply bent hairs; Saltugilia has translucent, barely glandular hairs.; vs Navarretia: Gilia has cobwebby/bent hairs; Navarretia has very short uniform glandular hairs and spiny flower heads.; vs Phacelia: Gilia has white cobwebby hairs; Phacelia has coiled flower clusters and straight bristly hairs.; vs Allophyllum: Gilia has white cobwebby or bent hairs; Allophyllum has long fuzzy glandular hairs.; vs Aliciella: Gilia has funnel-shaped flowers; Aliciella has wheel-shaped flowers with spreading lobes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gilia achilleifolia subsp. achilleifolia native to California?
Yes. Gilia achilleifolia subsp. achilleifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Gilia achilleifolia subsp. achilleifolia bloom?
Gilia achilleifolia subsp. achilleifolia blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Gilia achilleifolia subsp. achilleifolia grow?
Gilia achilleifolia subsp. achilleifolia occurs in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Monterey, Sonoma, Alameda and other counties, at elevations of 60-1200 m.
What plant family does Gilia achilleifolia subsp. achilleifolia belong to?
Gilia achilleifolia subsp. achilleifolia is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Gilia.
What habitat does Gilia achilleifolia subsp. achilleifolia grow in?
Gilia achilleifolia subsp. achilleifolia grows in Open or shaded, generally grassy places, sandy or rocky soil.
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.