Lathrocasis tenerrima
Delicate gilia
(c) Mark Pollock, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lathrocasis tenerrima (Delicate gilia) is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by Monotypic genus with range extending from Oregon to Colorado; California populations represent southern edge of distribution.
Delicate gilia is a California native annual found in the eastern Sierra Nevada in sandy, gravelly slopes at elevations of 1,100 to 3,000 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces white to lavender or pale blue flowers with yellow-spotted throats on delicate spreading stems. Growing 3 to 35 centimeters tall with thread-like, branched stems that are stalked-glandular, it has a distinctive open, airy growth habit. Its leaves are alternate, lanceolate to oblanceolate, ranging from 0.5 to 4 centimeters long, becoming smaller and more reduced toward the stem's upper portions. The tiny spherical fruit contains seeds that become gelatinous when wet, reflecting the plant's delicate and adaptable nature.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Monotypic genus with range extending from Oregon to Colorado; California populations represent southern edge of distribution
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy, gravelly slopes
Elevation: 1100-3000 m
California counties: Mono, Mendocino
Outside California: Oregon to Montana, Colorado
Bloom period
Lathrocasis tenerrima blooms May-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Linanthus: Lathrocasis has sepal tube longer than lobes; Linanthus has sepal lobes longer than tube.; vs Aliciella: Lathrocasis has simple undivided leaves; Aliciella has pinnately divided leaves.; vs Allophyllum: Lathrocasis has simple entire leaves; Allophyllum has deeply divided pinnate leaves.; vs Navarretia: Lathrocasis has soft simple leaves; Navarretia has spine-tipped divided leaves.; vs Saltugilia: Lathrocasis has simple linear leaves; Saltugilia has palmately-lobed leaves with spine-tips.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lathrocasis tenerrima native to California?
Yes. Lathrocasis tenerrima is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lathrocasis tenerrima bloom?
Lathrocasis tenerrima blooms May-Sep.
Where in California does Lathrocasis tenerrima grow?
Lathrocasis tenerrima occurs in Mono, Mendocino, at elevations of 1100-3000 m.
What plant family does Lathrocasis tenerrima belong to?
Lathrocasis tenerrima is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Lathrocasis.
What habitat does Lathrocasis tenerrima grow in?
Lathrocasis tenerrima grows in Sandy, gravelly slopes.
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.