Leptosiphon grandiflorus
Large-flowered leptosiphon
(c) Nelson Balcar, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Leptosiphon grandiflorus (Large-flowered leptosiphon) is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by largest funnel-shaped corolla (15-30mm) diagnostic.
Large-flowered leptosiphon is a California native annual found in coastal and central California regions, including the North Coast, Central Coast, San Francisco Bay Area, and northern South Coast Ranges in open, grassy flats with sandy soil at elevations below 1,200 meters. Flowering from April to July, this delicate plant produces white or pink flowers 15 to 30 millimeters long with a distinctive yellow throat, creating a striking visual display. Growing with branched stems that are hairy and ascending to 30 centimeters tall, it spreads across grassy landscapes with a delicate, open structure. Its leaves are finely divided, with linear lobes 10 to 30 millimeters long, ascending along the stem and varying from hairy to smooth. The flower's funnel-shaped corolla features a hairy inner ring and delicate white or pink petals that contrast beautifully with its yellow throat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species; largest funnel-shaped corolla (15-30mm) diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, grassy flats, generally sandy soil
Elevation: < 1200 m
California counties: Monterey, Marin, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Santa Clara, Madera, Mendocino, Merced, San Mateo, San Luis Obispo, San Francisco, Alameda, Santa Cruz, Contra Costa, Glenn, San Diego, Stanislaus
Bloom period
Leptosiphon grandiflorus blooms Apr-Jul.
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 grandiflorus native to California?
Yes. Leptosiphon grandiflorus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Leptosiphon grandiflorus bloom?
Leptosiphon grandiflorus blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Leptosiphon grandiflorus grow?
Leptosiphon grandiflorus occurs in Monterey, Marin, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Santa Clara, Madera, Mendocino, Merced and other counties, at elevations of < 1200 m.
What plant family does Leptosiphon grandiflorus belong to?
Leptosiphon grandiflorus is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Leptosiphon.
Is Leptosiphon grandiflorus rare or endangered?
Leptosiphon grandiflorus carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S3S4.
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.