Leptosiphon androsaceus
False babystars
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Leptosiphon androsaceus (False babystars) is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by salverform corolla with lobes >8mm and violet-yellow throat diagnostic.
False babystars is a California native annual found in the North Coast Ranges and San Francisco Bay Area in open and shaded woodland and chaparral areas at elevations below 1,200 meters. Flowering from April to June, this delicate plant produces lavender, white, and pink flowers with distinctive yellow bases and violet throat, creating a soft, multicolored bloom. Growing with hairy stems 5 to 45 centimeters tall, it forms compact clusters with thread-like stems. Its leaves have narrow oblanceolate to linear lobes 6 to 30 millimeters long, creating a fine, delicate foliage structure. The flower's salverform corolla tube ranges from 10 to 33 millimeters long, with lobes often exceeding 8 millimeters and abruptly soft-pointed.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 19 sympatric species; salverform corolla with lobes >8mm and violet-yellow throat diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open or shaded areas in woodland, chaparral
Elevation: < 1200 m
California counties: Yolo, Butte, El Dorado, Kern, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Fresno, San Diego, Monterey, San Benito, Napa, Santa Cruz, Lake, Santa Clara, Marin, San Mateo, Riverside, Santa Barbara, Orange, Ventura, San Bernardino, Mendocino, Sonoma, Humboldt, Alameda, Solano, Glenn, Tuolumne, San Francisco, Tehama, Trinity, Shasta, Contra Costa, Colusa, Amador, Madera
Bloom period
Leptosiphon androsaceus blooms Apr-Jun.
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 androsaceus native to California?
Yes. Leptosiphon androsaceus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Leptosiphon androsaceus bloom?
Leptosiphon androsaceus blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Leptosiphon androsaceus grow?
Leptosiphon androsaceus occurs in Yolo, Butte, El Dorado, Kern, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Fresno, San Diego and other counties, at elevations of < 1200 m.
What plant family does Leptosiphon androsaceus belong to?
Leptosiphon androsaceus is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Leptosiphon.
What habitat does Leptosiphon androsaceus grow in?
Leptosiphon androsaceus grows in Open or shaded areas in woodland, chaparral.
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.