Howellanthus dalesianus
Scott Mountain howellanthus, Scott Mountain Phacelia
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Howellanthus dalesianus (Scott Mountain howellanthus) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by Monotypic genus endemic to Klamath Mountains; recently recognized as distinct from Howellia.
Scott Mountain howellanthus is a rare (CNPS 4.3) California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges on ultramafic substrates, meadows, streambanks, and conifer forests at elevations of 1,500 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces white flowers with purple-marked throats, typically 5 to 10 millimeters long with a rotated limb 5 to 15 millimeters in diameter. Growing as a compact herb 5 to 15 centimeters tall, it emerges from a thick woody caudex with decumbent glandular-hairy stems. Its basal rosette features oblong to elliptic leaves 10 to 50 millimeters long, with blade length approximately equal to its petiole. The fruit is a small, hairy, nearly spherical structure about 4 millimeters in size, containing 2 to 4 seeds with a distinctive honeycombed or pitted surface.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Monotypic genus endemic to Klamath Mountains; recently recognized as distinct from Howellia
Habitat and range
Habitat: Ultramafic substrates, meadows, streambanks, conifer forest
Elevation: 1500-2000 m
California counties: Siskiyou, Trinity
Bloom period
Howellanthus dalesianus blooms May-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
How to tell it apart
vs Eucrypta: Howellanthus has only 1-several flowers per plant; Eucrypta has many flowers in branched clusters.; vs Phacelia: Howellanthus has just 1-several flowers; Phacelia has many flowers in coiled clusters.; vs Emmenanthe: Howellanthus has 1-several flowers and grows on serpentine; Emmenanthe has many hanging bell flowers.; vs Nama: Howellanthus is a perennial from taproots; Nama species are mostly annuals with fibrous roots.; vs Hydrophyllum: Howellanthus grows from a taproot; Hydrophyllum has bulbs or thick rhizomes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Howellanthus dalesianus native to California?
Yes. Howellanthus dalesianus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Howellanthus dalesianus bloom?
Howellanthus dalesianus blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Howellanthus dalesianus grow?
Howellanthus dalesianus occurs in Siskiyou, Trinity, at elevations of 1500-2000 m.
What plant family does Howellanthus dalesianus belong to?
Howellanthus dalesianus is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Howellanthus.
Is Howellanthus dalesianus rare or endangered?
Howellanthus dalesianus carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.