Johnstonella angelica
Angelic johnstonella
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Johnstonella angelica (Angelic johnstonella) is a native California annual in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by no sympatric species.
Angelic johnstonella is a California native annual found in desert wash and succulent scrub environments at an elevation of 210 meters. Flowering from February to April, this plant produces small white to pale flowers in dense clusters with delicate, nearly invisible petals. Growing with multiple branches emerging from the base, it develops slender stems 15 to 25 centimeters tall that are smooth near the bottom and softly hairy toward the tips. Its leaves are narrow and linear, measuring 1 to 2.5 centimeters long, covered with stiff hairs that have distinctive bulbous bases, particularly on the undersides. The fruit consists of four nutlets varying in size, with the larger nutlets approximately 0.9 to 1.2 millimeters long, lance-ovate in shape and pale brown with a textured surface.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; no sympatric species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Desert wash, succulent scrub
Elevation: 210 m
Outside California: Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sonora
Bloom period
Johnstonella angelica blooms Likely Feb-Apr (almost year-round in parts of Mexico, depending on monsoonal rains).
Frequently asked questions
Is Johnstonella angelica native to California?
Yes. Johnstonella angelica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Johnstonella angelica bloom?
Johnstonella angelica blooms Likely Feb-Apr (almost year-round in parts of Mexico, depending on monsoonal rains).
What plant family does Johnstonella angelica belong to?
Johnstonella angelica is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Johnstonella.
What habitat does Johnstonella angelica grow in?
Johnstonella angelica grows in Desert wash, succulent scrub.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.