Leptosiphon floribundus subsp. glaber
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Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Leptosiphon floribundus subsp. glaber is a native California subshrub in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by glabrous throughout distinguishes from subsp. floribundus.
Leptosiphon floribundus subsp. glaber is a California native perennial found in southern Baja California and Peninsular Ranges in open and wooded areas at elevations below 2,100 meters. Flowering from March to August, this plant produces delicate white to pale pink flowers in small clusters. Growing with slender, glabrous stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it forms loose, spreading clusters. Its leaves are finely divided, with narrow, thread-like segments that create a soft, airy appearance. The plant's completely smooth stems, leaves, and flower structures give it a particularly delicate and refined character.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; glabrous throughout distinguishes from subsp. floribundus
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, wooded areas
Elevation: < 2100 m
California counties: San Diego, Riverside, Orange
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Leptosiphon floribundus subsp. glaber blooms Mar-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 floribundus subsp. glaber native to California?
Yes. Leptosiphon floribundus subsp. glaber is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Leptosiphon floribundus subsp. glaber bloom?
Leptosiphon floribundus subsp. glaber blooms Mar-Aug.
Where in California does Leptosiphon floribundus subsp. glaber grow?
Leptosiphon floribundus subsp. glaber occurs in San Diego, Riverside, Orange, at elevations of < 2100 m.
What plant family does Leptosiphon floribundus subsp. glaber belong to?
Leptosiphon floribundus subsp. glaber is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Leptosiphon.
What habitat does Leptosiphon floribundus subsp. glaber grow in?
Leptosiphon floribundus subsp. glaber grows in Open, wooded areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Leptosiphon floribundus subsp. hallii — Santa rosa mountains leptosiphon
- Leptosiphon grandiflorus — Large-flowered leptosiphon
- Leptosiphon harknessii — Harkness' flaxflower
- Leptosiphon jepsonii — Jepson's leptosiphon
- Leptosiphon latisectus — Broad-lobed leptosiphon
- Leptosiphon lemmonii — Lemmon's linanthus
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.