Gilia tenuiflora subsp. hoffmannii
Hoffmann's slender-flowered gilia, Hoffmann's Slender-Flowered Gilia
(c) Henrik Kibak, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Henrik Kibak · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
Gilia tenuiflora subsp. hoffmannii (Hoffmann's slender-flowered gilia) is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by Santa Rosa Island location and very large flowers.
Hoffmann's slender-flowered gilia is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in the northern Channel Islands, specifically Santa Rosa Island, in coastal sandhills at elevations below 30 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces white to pale lavender flowers approximately 18 to 20 millimeters long with obovate lobes 4 to 6 millimeters wide. Growing with stout stems 6 to 12 centimeters tall, the plant is glabrous near the base and becomes densely glandular towards the top. Its basal leaves form a rosette with delicate 1-pinnate lobes, each measuring 1 to 4 millimeters long and tufted with woolly hairs in the axils. The fruit is relatively small, measuring 6.5 to 7.5 millimeters and typically shorter than the plant's calyx.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; key features are Santa Rosa Island location and very large flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal sandhills
Elevation: < 30 m
California counties: Santa Barbara
Bloom period
Gilia tenuiflora subsp. hoffmannii blooms Apr-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1 · 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. hoffmannii native to California?
Yes. Gilia tenuiflora subsp. hoffmannii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Gilia tenuiflora subsp. hoffmannii bloom?
Gilia tenuiflora subsp. hoffmannii blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Gilia tenuiflora subsp. hoffmannii grow?
Gilia tenuiflora subsp. hoffmannii occurs in Santa Barbara, at elevations of < 30 m.
What plant family does Gilia tenuiflora subsp. hoffmannii belong to?
Gilia tenuiflora subsp. hoffmannii is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Gilia.
Is Gilia tenuiflora subsp. hoffmannii rare or endangered?
Gilia tenuiflora subsp. hoffmannii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
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.