Ipomopsis congesta subsp. congesta
(c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Ipomopsis congesta subsp. congesta is a native California subshrub in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by flower color, head-like inflorescence, and leaf division pattern.
Ipomopsis congesta is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern California Ranges, northern and central Sierra Nevada, Modoc Plateau, and northern Sierra Nevada Eastern areas in valleys and basins at elevations of 1,200 to 2,450 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces delicate flowers in clustered inflorescences. Growing 10 to 30 centimeters tall with stems that branch extensively in the upper portion, it forms a compact, multi-branched structure. Its leaves are intricately divided into three to five pinnate lobes, creating a feathery, delicate foliage pattern. The compact growth and finely divided leaves make this ipomopsis a distinctive wildflower of California's mid-elevation landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; key features are flower color, head-like inflorescence, and leaf division pattern
Habitat and range
Habitat: Valleys, basins
Elevation: 1200-2450 m
California counties: Shasta, Inyo, Mono, Lassen, Siskiyou
Outside California: to Oregon, western Great Plains
Bloom period
Ipomopsis congesta subsp. congesta blooms May-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 congesta subsp. congesta native to California?
Yes. Ipomopsis congesta subsp. congesta is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ipomopsis congesta subsp. congesta bloom?
Ipomopsis congesta subsp. congesta blooms May-Sep.
Where in California does Ipomopsis congesta subsp. congesta grow?
Ipomopsis congesta subsp. congesta occurs in Shasta, Inyo, Mono, Lassen, Siskiyou, at elevations of 1200-2450 m.
What plant family does Ipomopsis congesta subsp. congesta belong to?
Ipomopsis congesta subsp. congesta is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Ipomopsis.
What habitat does Ipomopsis congesta subsp. congesta grow in?
Ipomopsis congesta subsp. congesta grows in Valleys, basins.
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.