Gilia leptantha subsp. transversa
fine-flower gilia
(c) Tom Hilton, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tom Hilton · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Gilia leptantha subsp. transversa (fine-flower gilia) is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by . Key features: densely glandular above rosette, cup-shaped throat, wide obovate lobes.
Fine-flower gilia is a California native annual found on the northern slope of the Sierra Nevada Baldy, in the San Bernardino Mountains, and the southwestern edge of the Mojave Desert in rocky or sandy soil near streams at elevations of 900 to 2,450 meters. Flowering from April to August, this delicate plant produces white to lavender flowers with obovate lobes 3 to 6 millimeters wide, creating a cup-shaped throat. Growing with slender stems 16 to 40 centimeters tall that are densely glandular above the basal rosette, it has an airy, delicate structure. Its basal and lower cauline leaves range from 2 to 8 centimeters long, providing a soft green backdrop to the intricate flowers. The fruit is small and variable, measuring 3 to 8 millimeters in an ovoid to obovoid shape.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species. Key features: densely glandular above rosette, cup-shaped throat, wide obovate lobes
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky or sandy soil, generally near streams
Elevation: 900-2450 m
Bloom period
Gilia leptantha subsp. transversa blooms Apr-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
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 leptantha subsp. transversa native to California?
Yes. Gilia leptantha subsp. transversa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Gilia leptantha subsp. transversa bloom?
Gilia leptantha subsp. transversa blooms Apr-Aug.
What plant family does Gilia leptantha subsp. transversa belong to?
Gilia leptantha subsp. transversa is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Gilia.
Is Gilia leptantha subsp. transversa rare or endangered?
Gilia leptantha subsp. transversa carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S2S3.
What habitat does Gilia leptantha subsp. transversa grow in?
Gilia leptantha subsp. transversa grows in Rocky or sandy soil, generally near streams.
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.