Hoita strobilina
Loma prieta hoita, Loma Prieta Hoita
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Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Hoita strobilina (Loma prieta hoita) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by short inflorescence, reflexed stipules, and dry habitat preference.
Loma prieta hoita is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in San Francisco Bay Area bioregions in chaparral and oak woodland at elevations below 600 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces purple flowers in clusters 3 to 8 centimeters long. Growing with erect stems rarely reaching one meter tall, it has smooth to slightly ridged green stems. Its leaves feature distinctive stipules 7 to 16 millimeters long that become reflexed, with leaflets 4.5 to 8 centimeters long in lanceolate to rounded shapes. The fruit develops dark brown to black, with obvious veins and measuring approximately 10 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; distinguished by short inflorescence, reflexed stipules, and dry habitat preference
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, oak woodland
Elevation: < 600 m
California counties: Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, Monterey, Alameda
Bloom period
Hoita strobilina blooms Jun-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
How to tell it apart
vs Rupertia: Hoita flowers are blue-purple; Rupertia flowers are cream to yellow.; vs Salvia: Hoita has pea-shaped flowers and compound leaves; Salvia has tubular two-lipped flowers and simple or pinnate leaves.; vs Pueraria: Hoita has glandular dots and grows as erect perennial; kudzu (Pueraria) is a massive climbing vine without glands.; vs Bituminaria: Hoita has separate bracts at flower nodes; Bituminaria has distinctive fan-shaped united bracts.; vs Acmispon: Hoita has flowers in elongated spikes; Acmispon has flowers in umbrella-like umbels.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hoita strobilina native to California?
Yes. Hoita strobilina is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Hoita strobilina bloom?
Hoita strobilina blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Hoita strobilina grow?
Hoita strobilina occurs in Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, Monterey, Alameda, at elevations of < 600 m.
What plant family does Hoita strobilina belong to?
Hoita strobilina is in the Fabaceae family, genus Hoita.
Is Hoita strobilina rare or endangered?
Hoita strobilina carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S2?.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.