Gilia capitata subsp. pacifica
Pacific gilia, Pacific Gilia
(c) Cliff Hutson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Gilia capitata subsp. pacifica (Pacific gilia) is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by blue-violet calyx membranes and coastal habitat.
Pacific gilia is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in northern Coast Ranges, western Klamath Ranges, and northern Coast in grasslands, steep slopes, ravines, open flats, and coastal bluffs at elevations generally below 400 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces pale to bright blue-violet flowers in dense clusters up to 40 millimeters wide with delicate linear corolla lobes. Growing with slender stems 25 to 50 centimeters tall, it develops an intricate branching structure. Its distinctive leaves are 2-pinnate-lobed with narrow axis and lobes approximately 1 millimeter wide. The small spheric fruits are 3 to 5.2 millimeters long, with seeds ranging from 6 to 25 per plant.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species - distinguished by blue-violet calyx membranes and coastal habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Steep slopes, ravines, open flats, or coastal bluffs, grassland, dunes
Elevation: generally < 400(761) m
California counties: Humboldt, Del Norte, Mendocino, Sonoma, Monterey
Outside California: Oregon
Bloom period
Gilia capitata subsp. pacifica blooms May-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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. pacifica native to California?
Yes. Gilia capitata subsp. pacifica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Gilia capitata subsp. pacifica bloom?
Gilia capitata subsp. pacifica blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Gilia capitata subsp. pacifica grow?
Gilia capitata subsp. pacifica occurs in Humboldt, Del Norte, Mendocino, Sonoma, Monterey, at elevations of generally < 400(761) m.
What plant family does Gilia capitata subsp. pacifica belong to?
Gilia capitata subsp. pacifica is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Gilia.
Is Gilia capitata subsp. pacifica rare or endangered?
Gilia capitata subsp. pacifica carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · 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.