Githopsis pulchella
Largeflower bluecup
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Family: Campanulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Githopsis pulchella (Largeflower bluecup) is a native California herb in the Campanulaceae family, recognized by large bell-shaped flowers and potential pedicels.
Largeflower bluecup is a California native annual found in low elevation grasslands and open woodland areas. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces light violet to deep blue flowers 7 to 24 millimeters long with a bell-shaped corolla. Growing with slender stems 10 to 40 centimeters tall, it has an upright, delicate growth habit. Its leaves are small, measuring 3 to 20 millimeters long, and are distributed along the stem with varying spacing. The flower's distinctive features include narrow to wide bell-shaped petals with lobes that can be shorter or longer than the flower tube.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; large bell-shaped flowers and potential pedicels
Habitat and range
California counties: Tuolumne, Mariposa, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Butte, Sacramento, Shasta, Napa
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 pulchella native to California?
Yes. Githopsis pulchella is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Githopsis pulchella grow?
Githopsis pulchella occurs in Tuolumne, Mariposa, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Butte, Sacramento, Shasta and other counties.
What plant family does Githopsis pulchella belong to?
Githopsis pulchella is in the Campanulaceae family, genus Githopsis.
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.