Leptosiphon ambiguus
Serpentine leptosiphon
(c) Karen Offereins, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Leptosiphon ambiguus (Serpentine leptosiphon) is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by serpentine habitat and funnel-shaped corolla with maroon throat distinctive.
Serpentine leptosiphon is a native annual found in the San Joaquin Valley, San Francisco Bay Area, and southern coastal ranges in grassy serpentine landscapes at elevations below 1,000 meters. Flowering from April to May, this delicate plant produces uniquely colored flowers with pink lanceolate petals featuring yellow bases and occasional white tips, set against a maroon throat. Growing with thread-like stems 10 to 20 millimeters tall, it forms compact, slender structures with thin branching. Its leaves are divided into 3 to 5 narrow lanceolate lobes, each measuring 3 to 5 millimeters long. The flower's distinctive purple tube includes a notable wide hairy ring inside near the throat, creating an intricate and delicate botanical structure.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; serpentine habitat and funnel-shaped corolla with maroon throat distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassy areas generally on serpentine soil
Elevation: < 1000 m
California counties: San Benito, Fresno, Santa Clara, Stanislaus, San Mateo, Tehama, Alameda, Contra Costa, Merced, San Joaquin, Santa Cruz, Lake, Plumas
Bloom period
Leptosiphon ambiguus blooms Apr-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
How to tell it apart
vs Linanthus: Leptosiphon flowers open in daytime on stalks >2mm; Linanthus flowers often open at dusk/night on very short stalks.; vs Phlox: Leptosiphon leaves are deeply divided into fingers; Phlox leaves are completely undivided.; vs Navarretia: Leptosiphon has soft, flexible leaf lobes; Navarretia has rigid, spine-tipped leaf lobes and bracts.; vs Gilia: Leptosiphon has opposite palmately-lobed leaves; Gilia has alternate pinnately-lobed leaves.; vs Sabulina: Leptosiphon has tubular 5-petaled flowers and lobed leaves; Sabulina has 5 separate petals and needle-like leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Leptosiphon ambiguus native to California?
Yes. Leptosiphon ambiguus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Leptosiphon ambiguus bloom?
Leptosiphon ambiguus blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Leptosiphon ambiguus grow?
Leptosiphon ambiguus occurs in San Benito, Fresno, Santa Clara, Stanislaus, San Mateo, Tehama, Alameda, Contra Costa and other counties, at elevations of < 1000 m.
What plant family does Leptosiphon ambiguus belong to?
Leptosiphon ambiguus is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Leptosiphon.
Is Leptosiphon ambiguus rare or endangered?
Leptosiphon ambiguus carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S4.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.