Githopsis pulchella var. glabra

Sierra bluecup

Githopsis pulchella — parent species of Githopsis pulchella var. glabra

Photo: parent species Githopsis pulchella · no rights reserved · CC0

Family: Campanulaceae · Type: Annual · Native

Githopsis pulchella var. glabra (Sierra bluecup) is a native California annual in the Campanulaceae family, recognized by glabrous habit.

Sierra bluecup is a California native annual found in northern and central Sierra Nevada Foothills in grassy openings on serpentine outcrops at elevations of 180 to 730 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces delicate blue to purple flowers with corollas 10 to 15 millimeters long. Growing with slender stems that have minimal or finely appressed hairs, it reaches heights typical of small annual wildflowers. Its leaves are likely narrow and adapted to the sparse, rocky serpentine habitat, supporting the plant's delicate structure. The flower's sepals measure 5 to 10 millimeters, contributing to its distinctive bluecup appearance.

Identification and appearance

Key characters: Geographically isolated; glabrous habit

Habitat and range

Habitat: Grassy openings on serpentine outcrops

Elevation: 180-730 m

Bloom period

Githopsis pulchella var. glabra blooms May-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 pulchella var. glabra native to California?

Yes. Githopsis pulchella var. glabra is native to California (recorded as native).

When does Githopsis pulchella var. glabra bloom?

Githopsis pulchella var. glabra blooms May-Jun.

What plant family does Githopsis pulchella var. glabra belong to?

Githopsis pulchella var. glabra is in the Campanulaceae family, genus Githopsis.

What habitat does Githopsis pulchella var. glabra grow in?

Githopsis pulchella var. glabra grows in Grassy openings on serpentine outcrops.

Related species

Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.

All Githopsis species · All Campanulaceae

Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos

Last updated 2026-10-06

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.