Ipomopsis aggregata
Scarlet gilia
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Ipomopsis aggregata (Scarlet gilia) is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family.
Scarlet gilia is a California native perennial found in montane and alpine areas at elevations ranging from moderate to high mountain zones. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces brilliant scarlet flowers with yellow mottling on the throat, forming tubular blossoms 20 to 30 millimeters long with acute to pointed lobes. Growing with erect stems 30 to 60 centimeters tall that are glabrous or slightly hairy, it develops distinctive foliage structures. Its basal leaves are pinnately divided into 9 to 11 narrow lobes, while cauline leaves are more compact with 5 to 7 lobes, creating a delicate, fern-like appearance. The plant's radial flowers feature exserted stamens and style, contributing to its elegant alpine meadow aesthetic.
Habitat and range
California counties: Fresno, Alpine, Mono, Tulare, El Dorado, Madera, Siskiyou, Mariposa, Tuolumne, Shasta, Trinity, Butte, Inyo, Nevada, Lake, Modoc, Lassen, Placer, Del Norte, Amador, Plumas, Humboldt, Calaveras, Sierra, Tehama, Monterey, Yolo, San Bernardino
How to tell it apart
vs Penstemon: Ipomopsis has radial or slightly bilateral tubular flowers; Penstemon has distinctly 2-lipped bilateral flowers.; vs Epilobium: Ipomopsis has tubular 5-petaled flowers in dense clusters; Epilobium has 4 spreading petals and long capsules.; vs Silene: Ipomopsis has tubular flowers with fused petals; Silene has separate petals emerging from inflated calyx.; vs Delphinium: Ipomopsis has radial tubular flowers; Delphinium has spurred bilateral flowers with upper hooded petals.; vs Castilleja: Ipomopsis has showy tubular flowers; Castilleja has colorful bracts hiding small tubular flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ipomopsis aggregata native to California?
Yes. Ipomopsis aggregata is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Ipomopsis aggregata grow?
Ipomopsis aggregata occurs in Fresno, Alpine, Mono, Tulare, El Dorado, Madera, Siskiyou, Mariposa and other counties.
What plant family does Ipomopsis aggregata belong to?
Ipomopsis aggregata is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Ipomopsis.
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.