Gilia capitata subsp. abrotanifolia
(c) Cliff Hutson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Gilia capitata subsp. abrotanifolia is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by large heads and oblong petals.
Gilia capitata subsp. abrotanifolia is a California native annual found in southern Sierra Nevada, central Sierra Nevada Foothills, Tehachapi, southern Coast Ranges, Channel Islands, Transverse Ranges, and Peninsular Ranges on sandy, loamy slopes at elevations generally below 1,900 meters. Flowering from March to July, this plant produces pale blue-violet or white flowers in clusters 17 to 35 millimeters wide with 25 to 50 individual blossoms. Growing with glabrous to glandular stems 20 to 80 centimeters tall, it has an open, branching structure. Its delicate leaves are 1 to 2 times pinnately lobed, creating a feathery, intricate foliage pattern. The small fruit is ovoid to spheric, measuring 2.5 to 4.7 millimeters long and detaching in distinctive valves.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 40 sympatric species - distinguished by large heads and oblong petals
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy, loamy slopes
Elevation: generally < 1900(3018) m
California counties: Fresno, Kern, Ventura, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, Orange, Santa Barbara, Madera, Tulare, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Mariposa, Colusa, Monterey, Shasta
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Gilia capitata subsp. abrotanifolia blooms Mar-Jul.
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 capitata subsp. abrotanifolia native to California?
Yes. Gilia capitata subsp. abrotanifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Gilia capitata subsp. abrotanifolia bloom?
Gilia capitata subsp. abrotanifolia blooms Mar-Jul.
Where in California does Gilia capitata subsp. abrotanifolia grow?
Gilia capitata subsp. abrotanifolia occurs in Fresno, Kern, Ventura, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, Orange and other counties, at elevations of generally < 1900(3018) m.
What plant family does Gilia capitata subsp. abrotanifolia belong to?
Gilia capitata subsp. abrotanifolia is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Gilia.
What habitat does Gilia capitata subsp. abrotanifolia grow in?
Gilia capitata subsp. abrotanifolia grows in Sandy, loamy 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.