Gilia aliquanta subsp. aliquanta
(c) Joe Decruyenaere, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Gilia aliquanta subsp. aliquanta is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by inflated calyx membranes and petal shape.
Gilia aliquanta is a California native annual found in southern Sierra Nevada, northern Santa Barbara Islands, northern Santa Catalina Islands, and the eastern Mojave Desert on rocky slopes and washes at elevations of 700 to 1,300 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces delicate flowers with widely obovate lobes, creating a distinctive spreading throat. Growing with slender stems that support a compact, branching structure, it develops fine, intricate branches. Its leaves are likely finely divided, supporting the plant's delicate appearance. The flower's unique characteristics include longest stamens that extend beyond the corolla lobes, giving it a distinctive botanical profile.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 38 sympatric species - distinguished by inflated calyx membranes and petal shape
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky slopes, washes
Elevation: 700-1300 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Kern, Inyo
Bloom period
Gilia aliquanta subsp. aliquanta 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 aliquanta subsp. aliquanta native to California?
Yes. Gilia aliquanta subsp. aliquanta is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Gilia aliquanta subsp. aliquanta bloom?
Gilia aliquanta subsp. aliquanta blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Gilia aliquanta subsp. aliquanta grow?
Gilia aliquanta subsp. aliquanta occurs in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Kern, Inyo, at elevations of 700-1300 m.
What plant family does Gilia aliquanta subsp. aliquanta belong to?
Gilia aliquanta subsp. aliquanta is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Gilia.
What habitat does Gilia aliquanta subsp. aliquanta grow in?
Gilia aliquanta subsp. aliquanta grows in Rocky slopes, washes.
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.