Langloisia setosissima subsp. punctata
Lilac sunbonnet, Lilac Sunbonnet
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Langloisia setosissima subsp. punctata (Lilac sunbonnet) is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by 2 sympatric subspecies; differentiation relies primarily on geographic distribution patterns.
Lilac sunbonnet is a California native annual found in the southeastern Great Basin Desert and Mojave Desert in washes, flats, and gravelly to sandy slopes at elevations below 1,800 meters. Flowering from February to June, this plant produces lavender to purple flowers with delicate, tiny petals. Growing with slender stems 5 to 15 centimeters tall, it forms compact, low-growing clusters across desert landscapes. Its leaves are finely divided with threadlike segments, creating a soft, feathery appearance characteristic of desert wildflowers. The plant is widely distributed across gravelly desert terrain, extending into adjacent regions of Nevada.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric subspecies; differentiation relies primarily on geographic distribution patterns
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Washes, flats, slopes, gravelly to sandy soils
Elevation: < 1800 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo, Mono, Kern, Riverside, Fresno, Santa Barbara
Outside California: to Nevada
Bloom period
Langloisia setosissima subsp. punctata blooms Feb-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Loeseliastrum: Langloisia flowers are perfectly radially symmetric; Loeseliastrum flowers are distinctly lopsided/bilateral.; vs Eriastrum: Langloisia has stiff branched bristly hairs; Eriastrum has soft woolly tufted white hairs.; vs Gilia: Langloisia has extremely bristly texture with branched hairs; Gilia lacks this bristly texture.; vs Phlox: Langloisia is desert annual with bristly divided leaves; Phlox is perennial with smooth undivided leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Langloisia setosissima subsp. punctata native to California?
Yes. Langloisia setosissima subsp. punctata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Langloisia setosissima subsp. punctata bloom?
Langloisia setosissima subsp. punctata blooms Feb-Jun.
Where in California does Langloisia setosissima subsp. punctata grow?
Langloisia setosissima subsp. punctata occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, Mono, Kern, Riverside, Fresno, Santa Barbara, at elevations of < 1800 m.
What plant family does Langloisia setosissima subsp. punctata belong to?
Langloisia setosissima subsp. punctata is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Langloisia.
What habitat does Langloisia setosissima subsp. punctata grow in?
Langloisia setosissima subsp. punctata grows in Common. Washes, flats, slopes, gravelly to sandy soils.
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.