Gilia tenuiflora subsp. arenaria
Monterey gilia, Monterey Gilia
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Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2 · Endangered
Gilia tenuiflora subsp. arenaria (Monterey gilia) is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by coastal dune habitat and prostrate growth.
Monterey gilia is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in central Coast Ranges around Monterey Bay on coastal sand dunes at elevations below 30 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces delicate white to lavender flowers approximately 10 to 14 millimeters long with slender corolla tubes. Growing with prostrate stems 6 to 17 centimeters tall that are densely covered in glandular or woolly hairs, it forms low-spreading clusters across sandy terrain. Its basal leaves grow in a flat rosette with serrated or pinnately lobed edges, creating a delicate ground-hugging pattern. The plant produces small fruits 5 to 6.2 millimeters long, nestled within its glandular calyx.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; key features are coastal dune habitat and prostrate growth
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal sand dunes
Elevation: < 30 m
Bloom period
Gilia tenuiflora subsp. arenaria blooms Mar-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2 · Endangered
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 tenuiflora subsp. arenaria native to California?
Yes. Gilia tenuiflora subsp. arenaria is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Gilia tenuiflora subsp. arenaria bloom?
Gilia tenuiflora subsp. arenaria blooms Mar-May.
What plant family does Gilia tenuiflora subsp. arenaria belong to?
Gilia tenuiflora subsp. arenaria is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Gilia.
Is Gilia tenuiflora subsp. arenaria rare or endangered?
Gilia tenuiflora subsp. arenaria carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
What habitat does Gilia tenuiflora subsp. arenaria grow in?
Gilia tenuiflora subsp. arenaria grows in Coastal sand dunes.
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.