Gilia latiflora subsp. cuyamensis

Cuyama gilia, Cuyama Gilia

Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: annual · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 4.3

Cuyama gilia is a native annual herb found in southern Sierra Cascades, northern Transverse Ranges, and southern Sierra Nevada Foothills, particularly near Lake Isabella, in sandy flats and pinyon-juniper woodlands at elevations of 600 to 2,100 meters. Flowering from March to May, this delicate plant produces purple-based flowers with elongating pedicels, forming slender blossoms 9 to 16 millimeters long. Growing with smooth, bluish-green stems 6 to 25 centimeters tall, it displays a graceful, upright structure. Its leaves are likely fine and delicate, complementing the plant's slender form with an elegant appearance. The small fruits measure 3 to 6 millimeters in length, completing this subtle yet charming wildflower's seasonal display.

Habitat: Sandy flats, pinyon/juniper woodland, lower river valleys

Bloom period: Mar-May

Elevation: 600-2100 m

Bioregions: s SCoRI, n WTR, s SNF (near Lake Isabella).

California counties: Ventura, Kern, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Tulare

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.