Gilia capitata subsp. chamissonis
Blue coast gilia, Blue Coast Gilia
(c) Cliff Hutson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Gilia capitata subsp. chamissonis (Blue coast gilia) is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by coastal habitat, skunk odor, and fleshy leaves.
Blue coast gilia is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in northern Central Coast bioregion in coastal sandhills at elevations below 185 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces bright blue-violet flowers in clusters 25 to 35 millimeters wide with distinctive pale pedicels. Growing with spreading branches 15 to 70 centimeters tall that have a stout, glandular structure and a distinctive skunk-like odor, it develops a complex growth pattern. Its basal leaves form a fleshy rosette with 2-pinnate lobes that are glandular and intricately structured. The fruits are small ovoid structures 4 to 4.7 millimeters long, contained within a tomentose calyx with green lobes and purple-tinged membranes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species - distinguished by coastal habitat, skunk odor, and fleshy leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal sandhills
Elevation: < 185 m
Bloom period
Gilia capitata subsp. chamissonis blooms Apr-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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. chamissonis native to California?
Yes. Gilia capitata subsp. chamissonis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Gilia capitata subsp. chamissonis bloom?
Gilia capitata subsp. chamissonis blooms Apr-Jul.
What plant family does Gilia capitata subsp. chamissonis belong to?
Gilia capitata subsp. chamissonis is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Gilia.
Is Gilia capitata subsp. chamissonis rare or endangered?
Gilia capitata subsp. chamissonis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S2.
What habitat does Gilia capitata subsp. chamissonis grow in?
Gilia capitata subsp. chamissonis grows in Coastal sandhills.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.