Ipomopsis aggregata subsp. aggregata
(c) Don Loarie, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Don Loarie · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Ipomopsis aggregata subsp. aggregata is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by leaf lobe shape, flower cluster size, and calyx measurements.
Scarlet gilia is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, high Cascade Range, northern and central Sierra Nevada, and Great Basin in forest and woodland openings at elevations of 1,100 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces vibrant red to scarlet tubular flowers clustered in groups of 3 to 7, with distinctive white, light yellow, or pale blue pollen. Growing with erect stems that typically flower once per season, it develops delicate, deeply lobed leaves with sharp-pointed segments. Its finely divided leaves have multiple acute lobes, creating an intricate and feathery appearance. The flower's calyx has pointed lobes 3 to 4 millimeters long, with stamens that extend prominently beyond the flower's throat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; key features are leaf lobe shape, flower cluster size, and calyx measurements
Habitat and range
Habitat: Openings in forest, woodland
Elevation: 1100-2500 m
California counties: Mono, Tulare, Amador, Modoc, Madera, Plumas, Shasta, Placer, Alpine, Trinity, Nevada, Del Norte, Humboldt, Siskiyou, Inyo, El Dorado, Sierra
Outside California: to Washington, Colorado
Bloom period
Ipomopsis aggregata subsp. aggregata blooms Jun-Sep.
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 subsp. aggregata native to California?
Yes. Ipomopsis aggregata subsp. aggregata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ipomopsis aggregata subsp. aggregata bloom?
Ipomopsis aggregata subsp. aggregata blooms Jun-Sep.
Where in California does Ipomopsis aggregata subsp. aggregata grow?
Ipomopsis aggregata subsp. aggregata occurs in Mono, Tulare, Amador, Modoc, Madera, Plumas, Shasta, Placer and other counties, at elevations of 1100-2500 m.
What plant family does Ipomopsis aggregata subsp. aggregata belong to?
Ipomopsis aggregata subsp. aggregata is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Ipomopsis.
What habitat does Ipomopsis aggregata subsp. aggregata grow in?
Ipomopsis aggregata subsp. aggregata grows in Openings in forest, woodland.
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.