Langloisia setosissima subsp. setosissima
Bristly langloisia, Bristly Langloisia
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Langloisia setosissima subsp. setosissima (Bristly langloisia) is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by 2 sympatric subspecies; differentiation based on broader geographic range including Sonoran Desert.
Bristly langloisia is a California native annual found in the southeastern desert and desert mountain regions in washes, flats, and gravelly to sandy slopes at elevations generally below 1,800 meters. Flowering from January to June, this plant produces delicate white to lavender flowers in small clusters. Growing low and spreading with branched stems typically 5 to 15 centimeters tall, it forms dense, bristly mats across desert landscapes. Its leaves are finely divided with narrow, needle-like segments that give the plant a soft, feathery appearance. This widespread desert annual extends beyond California into Nevada, Arizona, and northern Mexico, thriving in harsh, open terrain.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric subspecies; differentiation based on broader geographic range including Sonoran Desert
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Washes, flats, slopes, gravelly to sandy soils
Elevation: generally < 1800 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Riverside, Imperial, San Diego, Inyo, Tulare
Outside California: to Nevada, Arizona, northern Mexico
Bloom period
Langloisia setosissima subsp. setosissima blooms Jan-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. setosissima native to California?
Yes. Langloisia setosissima subsp. setosissima is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Langloisia setosissima subsp. setosissima bloom?
Langloisia setosissima subsp. setosissima blooms Jan-Jun.
Where in California does Langloisia setosissima subsp. setosissima grow?
Langloisia setosissima subsp. setosissima occurs in San Bernardino, Riverside, Imperial, San Diego, Inyo, Tulare, at elevations of generally < 1800 m.
What plant family does Langloisia setosissima subsp. setosissima belong to?
Langloisia setosissima subsp. setosissima is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Langloisia.
What habitat does Langloisia setosissima subsp. setosissima grow in?
Langloisia setosissima subsp. setosissima 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.