Johnstonella racemosa
Shrubby johnstonella, Shrubby Cryptantha
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Johnstonella racemosa (Shrubby johnstonella) is a native California subshrub in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by only perennial/woody species in genus makes it easily diagnostic.
Shrubby johnstonella is a California native perennial found in northern Santa Branca, eastern Peninsula Ranges, northern White and Inyo Mountains, and Mojave Desert regions in rocky slopes, crevices, washes, and desert scrub at elevations up to 1,400 meters. Flowering from February to May, this plant produces yellow-appendaged flowers with a small corolla limb 1 to 3 millimeters in diameter. Growing 20 to 100 centimeters tall with many spreading to ascending branches that become rounded and shrub-like, it develops a woody base with wiry, canescent stems covered in sparse spreading bristles. Its leaves are narrow-oblanceolate to linear, 1.5 to 4 centimeters long, with bulbous-based bristles that give the plant a distinctive texture. The fruit consists of 3 to 4 nutlets, with one larger than the others, featuring dark gray surfaces with pale tubercles and a wide-triangular attachment.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; only perennial/woody species in genus makes it easily diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky slopes, crevices, washes, canyons, desert scrub
Elevation: < 1400(1670) m
California counties: Riverside, San Bernardino, Inyo, Imperial, San Diego, Orange, Mono, San Benito
Outside California: southern Nevada, western Arizona, Baja California
Bloom period
Johnstonella racemosa blooms Feb-May.
Frequently asked questions
Is Johnstonella racemosa native to California?
Yes. Johnstonella racemosa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Johnstonella racemosa bloom?
Johnstonella racemosa blooms Feb-May.
Where in California does Johnstonella racemosa grow?
Johnstonella racemosa occurs in Riverside, San Bernardino, Inyo, Imperial, San Diego, Orange, Mono, San Benito, at elevations of < 1400(1670) m.
What plant family does Johnstonella racemosa belong to?
Johnstonella racemosa is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Johnstonella.
What habitat does Johnstonella racemosa grow in?
Johnstonella racemosa grows in Rocky slopes, crevices, washes, canyons, desert scrub.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Johnstonella sp.
- Johnstonella angelica — Angelic johnstonella
- Johnstonella angustifolia — Narrow-leaved johnstonella
- Johnstonella costata — Ribbed johnstonella
- Johnstonella holoptera — Winged johnstonella
- Johnstonella inaequata — Panamint johnstonella
- Lappula redowskii — Redowski's stickseed
- Lappula redowskii var. cupulata — Crowned stickseed
- Lappula redowskii var. redowskii — Western stickseed
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.