Gilia jacens
Nevada gilia
(c) Adam J. Searcy, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Adam J. Searcy · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Gilia jacens (Nevada gilia) is a native California annual in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by . Key features: long-decumbent branches, purple tube and throat, dense black glands.
Nevada gilia is a California native annual found in the Tehachapi Mountains, southern Coast Ranges, western Transverse Ranges, and western Mojave Desert in low sandy or clay flats at elevations of 500 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces purple flowers 5 to 7 millimeters long with a purple throat. Growing with long-decumbent branches densely covered in woolly hairs, it forms a compact, tufted appearance. Its basal leaves form a suberect rosette 2 to 5 centimeters long, with intricately divided pinnate lobes and dense woolly hairiness. The fruit is ovoid, 4 to 5 millimeters long, and contains 24 to 36 seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 38 sympatric species. Key features: long-decumbent branches, purple tube and throat, dense black glands
Habitat and range
Habitat: Low, sandy or clay flats
Elevation: 500-2500 m
Bloom period
Gilia jacens blooms Apr-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 jacens native to California?
Yes. Gilia jacens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Gilia jacens bloom?
Gilia jacens blooms Apr-Jun.
What plant family does Gilia jacens belong to?
Gilia jacens is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Gilia.
What habitat does Gilia jacens grow in?
Gilia jacens grows in Low, sandy or clay flats.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.