Leptosiphon latisectus
Broad-lobed leptosiphon
(c) Arvel Hernandez, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Arvel Hernandez · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Leptosiphon latisectus (Broad-lobed leptosiphon) is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by flowers staying open at night and rounded leaf tips diagnostic.
Broad-lobed leptosiphon is a California native annual found in the Northern Coast Ranges in open or partially shaded grassy slopes at elevations below 1,500 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces delicate red to white flowers with red-pink to purple corollas 15 to 27 millimeters long. Growing with hairy stems 3 to 20 centimeters tall, it forms compact clusters with flowers that remain open at night. Its leaves have distinctive lobes 3 to 10 millimeters long, ranging from narrowly obovate to linear with rounded middle lobe tips. The plant's flowers feature a notably hairy calyx 5 to 9 millimeters long with narrowly acute lobes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 15 sympatric species; flowers staying open at night and rounded leaf tips diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open or partially shaded grassy slopes
Elevation: < 1500 m
California counties: Mendocino, Lake, Shasta, Monterey, San Mateo, San Francisco, Tehama, Marin, Sonoma, Colusa, Glenn, Humboldt, Napa, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Yolo, Trinity
Bloom period
Leptosiphon latisectus blooms Mar-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 latisectus native to California?
Yes. Leptosiphon latisectus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Leptosiphon latisectus bloom?
Leptosiphon latisectus blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Leptosiphon latisectus grow?
Leptosiphon latisectus occurs in Mendocino, Lake, Shasta, Monterey, San Mateo, San Francisco, Tehama, Marin and other counties, at elevations of < 1500 m.
What plant family does Leptosiphon latisectus belong to?
Leptosiphon latisectus is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Leptosiphon.
Is Leptosiphon latisectus rare or endangered?
Leptosiphon latisectus carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
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.