Gilia cana subsp. cana
Photo: parent species Gilia cana · (c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Gilia cana subsp. cana is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by matted basal hairs and narrow throat.
Gilia cana subsp. cana is a California native annual found in central and eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains, northern Sierra Eastern Edge, and eastern Mojave Desert on rocky, sandy, or granitic slopes at elevations of 1,800 to 3,100 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces small white to pale lavender flowers with narrow throats about 14 to 26 millimeters long. Growing with delicate stems that are tufted and woolly-hairy, it forms dense, matted clusters in high-elevation rocky terrain. Its basal leaves are characteristically tufted, with a woolly and matted appearance that helps the plant retain moisture in its harsh mountain habitats. The plant produces small, narrowly ovoid fruits 3 to 5 millimeters long, containing 6 to 12 seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 23 sympatric species - distinguished by matted basal hairs and narrow throat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky, sandy, or granitic slopes
Elevation: 1800-3100 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Kern, Inyo, Mono, Los Angeles
Bloom period
Gilia cana subsp. cana blooms Jun-Aug.
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 cana subsp. cana native to California?
Yes. Gilia cana subsp. cana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Gilia cana subsp. cana bloom?
Gilia cana subsp. cana blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Gilia cana subsp. cana grow?
Gilia cana subsp. cana occurs in San Bernardino, Kern, Inyo, Mono, Los Angeles, at elevations of 1800-3100 m.
What plant family does Gilia cana subsp. cana belong to?
Gilia cana subsp. cana is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Gilia.
What habitat does Gilia cana subsp. cana grow in?
Gilia cana subsp. cana grows in Rocky, sandy, or granitic slopes.
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.