Leptosiphon jepsonii
Jepson's leptosiphon
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Leptosiphon jepsonii (Jepson's leptosiphon) is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by restricted to s NCoR, elliptic to obovate corolla lobes diagnostic.
Jepson's leptosiphon is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in southern North Coast Ranges in open or partially shaded grassy slopes at elevations below 500 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces delicate pink and white flowers with yellow throats, the salverform corolla tube extending 20 to 36 millimeters long. Growing with hairy stems 4 to 12 centimeters tall, it develops a compact, low-growing form. Its leaves feature 8 to 13 millimeter lobes that are narrowly obovate to linear in shape, creating a fine, intricate texture. The flowers have elliptic to obovate lobes 4 to 6 millimeters long, with stamens extending beyond the corolla tube.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 15 sympatric species; restricted to s NCoR, elliptic to obovate corolla lobes diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open or partially shaded grassy slopes
Elevation: < 500 m
California counties: Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma, Yolo
Bloom period
Leptosiphon jepsonii blooms Apr-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.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 jepsonii native to California?
Yes. Leptosiphon jepsonii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Leptosiphon jepsonii bloom?
Leptosiphon jepsonii blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Leptosiphon jepsonii grow?
Leptosiphon jepsonii occurs in Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma, Yolo, at elevations of < 500 m.
What plant family does Leptosiphon jepsonii belong to?
Leptosiphon jepsonii is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Leptosiphon.
Is Leptosiphon jepsonii rare or endangered?
Leptosiphon jepsonii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2S3.
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.