Johnstonella angustifolia
Narrow-leaved johnstonella
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Johnstonella angustifolia (Narrow-leaved johnstonella) is a native California herb in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by narrowest leaves and smallest size diagnostic.
Narrow-leaved johnstonella is a California native annual found in the eastern Sierra Nevada desert and Desert bioregions in creosote-bush scrub and desert woodland at elevations below 1,600 meters. Flowering from January to June, this plant produces yellow-appendaged flowers in small dense clusters. Growing with decumbent to ascending branches 5 to 20 centimeters tall, it has strigose stems with spreading coarse, bristly hairs. Its linear leaves are 1 to 4 centimeters long, rough-hairy with bulbous-based bristles scattered along the stem. The fruit consists of 3 to 4 nutlets, with one slightly larger than the others, each approximately 1 millimeter long and lance-ovate with pale tubercles.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; narrowest leaves and smallest size diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common, sandy, occasionally silty to gravelly soils, creosote-bush scrub, desert woodland
Elevation: < 1600 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo, San Diego, Imperial, Kern, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles
Outside California: to western Texas, northern Mexico
Bloom period
Johnstonella angustifolia blooms Jan-Jun.
Frequently asked questions
Is Johnstonella angustifolia native to California?
Yes. Johnstonella angustifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Johnstonella angustifolia bloom?
Johnstonella angustifolia blooms Jan-Jun.
Where in California does Johnstonella angustifolia grow?
Johnstonella angustifolia occurs in San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo, San Diego, Imperial, Kern, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, at elevations of < 1600 m.
What plant family does Johnstonella angustifolia belong to?
Johnstonella angustifolia is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Johnstonella.
What habitat does Johnstonella angustifolia grow in?
Johnstonella angustifolia grows in Common, sandy, occasionally silty to gravelly soils, creosote-bush scrub, desert 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.