Leptosiphon breviculus
Mojave linanthus
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Leptosiphon breviculus (Mojave linanthus) is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by maroon tube with purple throat and desert/montane habitat diagnostic.
Mojave linanthus is a California native annual found in southern California deserts including the San Gabriel Mountains, San Bernardino Mountains, and Mojave Desert in dry montane areas at elevations below 2,400 meters. Flowering from May to August, this delicate plant produces flowers with a maroon tube and white, pink, or blue rounded lobes about 4 to 6 millimeters long. Growing with hairy stems 10 to 25 centimeters tall, it has an open, slender growth habit. Its leaves feature linear to lance-linear lobes 3 to 10 millimeters long, typically divided into narrow segments. The flower's distinctive maroon tube with a purple throat and multicolored lobes creates a striking visual contrast against the plant's delicate structure.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species; maroon tube with purple throat and desert/montane habitat diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Deserts, dry montane areas
Elevation: < 2400 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Kern, Ventura
Bloom period
Leptosiphon breviculus blooms May-Aug.
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 breviculus native to California?
Yes. Leptosiphon breviculus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Leptosiphon breviculus bloom?
Leptosiphon breviculus blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Leptosiphon breviculus grow?
Leptosiphon breviculus occurs in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Kern, Ventura, at elevations of < 2400 m.
What plant family does Leptosiphon breviculus belong to?
Leptosiphon breviculus is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Leptosiphon.
What habitat does Leptosiphon breviculus grow in?
Leptosiphon breviculus grows in Deserts, dry montane areas.
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.