Ipomopsis congesta
Ball headed gilia
(c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Ipomopsis congesta (Ball headed gilia) is a native California subshrub in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by Perennial with dense head-like inflorescence & short corolla tube (<10 mm); separates from the long-trumpet I. aggregata group.
Ball headed gilia is a California native perennial found in rocky and open habitats across California's mountain and foothill regions. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces delicate white and yellow flowers with white lobes and yellow tube, clustered in dense terminal head-like inflorescences. Growing with decumbent to erect stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall that are glabrous or densely puberulent, the plant has a distinctive compact form. Its leaves range from 1 to 4 centimeters long, generally hairy and either entire or with pinnate to palmate lobes, giving the plant a soft, textured appearance. Its flower stamens are uniquely exserted and attached at a single level, creating an elegant botanical profile.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Perennial with dense head-like inflorescence & short corolla tube (<10 mm); separates from the long-trumpet I. aggregata group
Habitat and range
California counties: Lassen, Placer, Alpine, Nevada, Mono, Siskiyou, Shasta, Sierra, Inyo, Plumas, Modoc, El Dorado, Tuolumne, Amador
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 congesta native to California?
Yes. Ipomopsis congesta is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Ipomopsis congesta grow?
Ipomopsis congesta occurs in Lassen, Placer, Alpine, Nevada, Mono, Siskiyou, Shasta, Sierra and other counties.
What plant family does Ipomopsis congesta belong to?
Ipomopsis congesta 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.