Heliotropium convolvulaceum var. californicum
Morning-glory heliotrope
(c) Nicolás Lavandero, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Nicolás Lavandero · licence
Family: Heliotropiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Heliotropium convolvulaceum var. californicum (Morning-glory heliotrope) is a native California herb in the Heliotropiaceae family, recognized by distinctive large fragrant flowers and annual habit.
Morning-glory heliotrope is a California native annual found in the southern desert bioregion in sandy soils and dunes at elevations below 700 meters. Flowering from April to October, this plant produces white flowers 8 to 15 millimeters wide, opening late in the afternoon and closing the next morning with a slightly fragrant white corolla. Growing with ascending to erect stems 7 to 18 centimeters tall that are canescent (soft and grayish-white), it has a distinct taproot. Its leaves are 1 to 4 centimeters long, elliptic to ovate, dense-strigose, and generally petioled with an acute tip. The fruit consists of four long soft-hairy nutlets that emerge from the plant's swollen green-yellow flower throat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; distinctive large fragrant flowers and annual habit
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy soils, dunes
Elevation: < 700 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Riverside
Outside California: western Arizona, northern Mexico
Bloom period
Heliotropium convolvulaceum var. californicum blooms Apr-Oct.
How to tell it apart
vs Lobularia: Heliotropium has tubular 5-petaled flowers; Lobularia has 4-petaled flowers with separate petals spreading flat.; vs Lantana: Heliotropium has flowers in one-sided coils; Lantana has flowers in flat-topped, dense rounded clusters.; vs Cryptantha: Heliotropium has flowers in continuous coiled spikes; Cryptantha has flowers spaced along straight stems.; vs Myoporum: Heliotropium has tiny flowers in coiled clusters; Myoporum has larger axillary flowers with spotted throats.; vs Phacelia: Heliotropium has an undivided style; Phacelia has a style split partway into 2 branches.
Frequently asked questions
Is Heliotropium convolvulaceum var. californicum native to California?
Yes. Heliotropium convolvulaceum var. californicum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Heliotropium convolvulaceum var. californicum bloom?
Heliotropium convolvulaceum var. californicum blooms Apr-Oct.
Where in California does Heliotropium convolvulaceum var. californicum grow?
Heliotropium convolvulaceum var. californicum occurs in San Bernardino, Riverside, at elevations of < 700 m.
What plant family does Heliotropium convolvulaceum var. californicum belong to?
Heliotropium convolvulaceum var. californicum is in the Heliotropiaceae family, genus Heliotropium.
What habitat does Heliotropium convolvulaceum var. californicum grow in?
Heliotropium convolvulaceum var. californicum grows in Sandy soils, dunes.
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.