Githopsis diffusa subsp. robusta
Photo: parent species Githopsis diffusa · no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Campanulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Githopsis diffusa subsp. robusta is a native California herb in the Campanulaceae family, recognized by violet flowers and larger leaves distinguish it.
Robust githopsis is a California native annual found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, northern Sierra Nevada, San Francisco Bay Area, and southern Coast Ranges in shaded or disturbed areas, including burn sites, at elevations of 50 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from April to June, this delicate plant produces light violet or violet-blue flowers with funnel-shaped corollas 3 to 7 millimeters long. Growing with slender stems 2 to 25 centimeters tall, its upper stems are particularly narrow, measuring just 0.4 to 1 millimeter wide. Its small leaves range from 5.5 to 15 millimeters in length, with distinctive bracts 4 to 10 millimeters long surrounding the flower clusters. The plant's ovary is notably elongated, measuring two to five times longer than its width.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; violet flowers and larger leaves distinguish it
Habitat and range
Habitat: Shaded or disturbed areas, burns
Elevation: 50-2000 m
California counties: Kern, Lake, Mendocino, Monterey, Los Angeles, Tehama, Riverside, Glenn, Butte, Placer, Nevada, Shasta, Sonoma, Solano, Santa Clara, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz, Calaveras, Contra Costa, Alameda, Humboldt, Colusa, Mariposa, Napa, Trinity, Ventura, San Mateo
Bloom period
Githopsis diffusa subsp. robusta blooms Apr-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Campanula: Campanula flowers on stalks along stem; Githopsis flowers cluster at stem tips with ragged-opening capsules.; vs Asyneuma: Asyneuma has 2-4 flowers per node along stem; Githopsis has flowers massed at stem tips.; vs Triodanis: Triodanis flowers press to stem in leaf joints; Githopsis flowers cluster at stem tips.; vs Heterocodon: Heterocodon flowers press to stem with huge leafy sepals; Githopsis flowers sit at stem tips with small bracts.
Frequently asked questions
Is Githopsis diffusa subsp. robusta native to California?
Yes. Githopsis diffusa subsp. robusta is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Githopsis diffusa subsp. robusta bloom?
Githopsis diffusa subsp. robusta blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Githopsis diffusa subsp. robusta grow?
Githopsis diffusa subsp. robusta occurs in Kern, Lake, Mendocino, Monterey, Los Angeles, Tehama, Riverside, Glenn and other counties, at elevations of 50-2000 m.
What plant family does Githopsis diffusa subsp. robusta belong to?
Githopsis diffusa subsp. robusta is in the Campanulaceae family, genus Githopsis.
What habitat does Githopsis diffusa subsp. robusta grow in?
Githopsis diffusa subsp. robusta grows in Shaded or disturbed areas, burns.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.