Leptosiphon filipes
Thread linanthus
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Leptosiphon filipes (Thread linanthus) is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by very small single flowers (calyx 2-3mm) and hairy stamen bases diagnostic.
Thread linanthus is a California native annual found in the North Coast Ranges, Cascade Ranges, and Sierra Nevada in woodland openings at elevations below 1,300 meters. Flowering from April to July, this delicate plant produces white or pink flowers with yellow throats, small and nestled along thread-like stems. Growing with diffuse-branched stems 5 to 20 centimeters tall, it has a delicate, spreading habit with fine, hairy branches. Its leaves feature linear lobes 3 to 7 millimeters long, creating a soft, feathery appearance. Blossoms emerge individually on slender 4 to 12 millimeter peduncles, with stamens and stigmas delicately extending beyond the flower's funnel-shaped white or pink corolla.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 21 sympatric species; very small single flowers (calyx 2-3mm) and hairy stamen bases diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Openings in woodland
Elevation: < 1300 m
California counties: Butte, Sutter, Madera, Stanislaus, Fresno, Sacramento, Shasta, Colusa, Mono, Mariposa, Santa Clara, Kern, Tulare, Amador, Siskiyou, El Dorado, Yuba, Humboldt, Tehama, Lake, Trinity, Tuolumne, Plumas, Solano, Placer
Bloom period
Leptosiphon filipes blooms Apr-Jul.
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 filipes native to California?
Yes. Leptosiphon filipes is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Leptosiphon filipes bloom?
Leptosiphon filipes blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Leptosiphon filipes grow?
Leptosiphon filipes occurs in Butte, Sutter, Madera, Stanislaus, Fresno, Sacramento, Shasta, Colusa and other counties, at elevations of < 1300 m.
What plant family does Leptosiphon filipes belong to?
Leptosiphon filipes is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Leptosiphon.
What habitat does Leptosiphon filipes grow in?
Leptosiphon filipes grows in Openings in woodland.
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.