Githopsis pulchella subsp. pulchella
Photo: parent species Githopsis pulchella · no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Campanulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Githopsis pulchella subsp. pulchella is a native California herb in the Campanulaceae family, recognized by largest flowers and potential pedicels.
Githopsis is a native annual found in California's grasslands and open woodlands at low to moderate elevations. Flowering from May to July, this delicate plant produces deep blue bell-shaped flowers 10 to 24 millimeters long with distinctively wide lobes. Growing with slender stems 10 to 40 centimeters tall, it develops branching stems with upper branches extending more than 3.2 centimeters. Its leaves are small, measuring 7 to 18 millimeters in length, with a delicate, understated structure. The plant's ovary is deeply ribbed and cylindrical, with a style that is papillate along its upper portion.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; largest flowers and potential pedicels
Habitat and range
California counties: Mariposa, Calaveras, El Dorado, Tuolumne, Amador, Stanislaus, San Joaquin
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 subsp. pulchella native to California?
Yes. Githopsis pulchella subsp. pulchella is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Githopsis pulchella subsp. pulchella grow?
Githopsis pulchella subsp. pulchella occurs in Mariposa, Calaveras, El Dorado, Tuolumne, Amador, Stanislaus, San Joaquin.
What plant family does Githopsis pulchella subsp. pulchella belong to?
Githopsis pulchella subsp. 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.