Gilia achilleifolia subsp. multicaulis
(c) Drew Avery, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Gilia achilleifolia subsp. multicaulis is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by open cyme inflorescence vs. head-like.
Many-stemmed gilia is a California native annual found in southern North Coast Ranges, San Francisco Bay Area, southern California Coast, southern California Ranges, southern Channel Islands, and western Transverse Ranges in open or shaded grassy places at elevations of 60 to 1,200 meters. Flowering from February to June, this plant produces white to lavender flowers with delicate petals 5 to 10 millimeters long arranged in open clusters. Growing with trailing to erect stems that vary in form, it can spread across the landscape with multiple branching stems. Its leaves are finely textured, allowing the plant to blend subtly into grassy habitats. The small fruits are ovoid to spheric, measuring 3 to 5.5 millimeters long with reddish-brown seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 27 sympatric species - distinguished by open cyme inflorescence vs. head-like
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open or shaded, generally grassy places, sandy or rocky soil
Elevation: 60-1200 m
California counties: San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Riverside, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, Kern, San Benito, San Diego, Alameda, Santa Barbara, Solano, San Mateo, Fresno, Stanislaus, Contra Costa, Ventura, Los Angeles, Marin, San Bernardino, Merced, Napa, Plumas
Bloom period
Gilia achilleifolia subsp. multicaulis blooms Feb-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. multicaulis native to California?
Yes. Gilia achilleifolia subsp. multicaulis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Gilia achilleifolia subsp. multicaulis bloom?
Gilia achilleifolia subsp. multicaulis blooms Feb-Jun.
Where in California does Gilia achilleifolia subsp. multicaulis grow?
Gilia achilleifolia subsp. multicaulis occurs in San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Riverside, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, Kern, San Benito, San Diego and other counties, at elevations of 60-1200 m.
What plant family does Gilia achilleifolia subsp. multicaulis belong to?
Gilia achilleifolia subsp. multicaulis is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Gilia.
What habitat does Gilia achilleifolia subsp. multicaulis grow in?
Gilia achilleifolia subsp. multicaulis 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.