Ipomopsis effusa
Baja california ipomopsis, Baja California Ipomopsis
(c) Diego Maldonado de la Torre, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.1
Ipomopsis effusa (Baja california ipomopsis) is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by extirpated waif status.
Baja california ipomopsis is a rare (CNPS 2B.1) California native annual found in southeastern Peninsular Ranges in sandy desert washes at elevations below 100 meters. Flowering in April, this plant produces deep pink to white mottled pink flowers 8 to 12 millimeters long with oblong lobes. Growing with slender stems less than 30 centimeters tall and sparse to moderate puberulent texture, it has delicate branching characteristics. Its basal leaves are oblong to ovate with pinnate lobes, while cauline leaves are entire to minimally lobed with linear segments. As an extirpated waif, this rare annual represents a fleeting botanical record in its limited desert habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 0 sympatric species - geographically isolated; extirpated waif status
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy soils, desert wash
Elevation: < 100 m
California counties: Imperial
Outside California: native to Baja California (where in montane forest)
Bloom period
Ipomopsis effusa blooms Apr.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.1
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 effusa native to California?
Yes. Ipomopsis effusa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ipomopsis effusa bloom?
Ipomopsis effusa blooms Apr.
Where in California does Ipomopsis effusa grow?
Ipomopsis effusa occurs in Imperial, at elevations of < 100 m.
What plant family does Ipomopsis effusa belong to?
Ipomopsis effusa is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Ipomopsis.
Is Ipomopsis effusa rare or endangered?
Ipomopsis effusa carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.1, state rank SH.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · 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.