Leptosiphon nudatus
Tehachapi linanthus
(c) Emily Chebul, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Leptosiphon nudatus (Tehachapi linanthus) is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by leaf lobes fused by membrane and connected bract bases diagnostic.
Tehachapi linanthus is a California native annual found in southern Sierra Nevada and Tehachapi regions in woodland and chaparral openings at elevations of 600 to 2,400 meters. Flowering from April to August, this plant produces delicate white or pink flowers with yellow throats that emerge from hairy stems. Growing 5 to 30 centimeters tall with slender, glandular stems, it develops distinctive linear leaf lobes partially fused by a translucent membrane. Its leaves feature narrow lobes 3 to 12 millimeters long, often connected along their lower third and displaying glandular surfaces. The plant's salverform corolla has a 10 to 12 millimeter tube with stamens extending beyond the flower's delicate white or pink lobes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 12 sympatric species; leaf lobes fused by membrane and connected bract bases diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Openings in woodland, chaparral
Elevation: 600-2400 m
California counties: Kern, Inyo, Tulare, San Benito, San Bernardino, Fresno
Bloom period
Leptosiphon nudatus blooms Apr-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 nudatus native to California?
Yes. Leptosiphon nudatus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Leptosiphon nudatus bloom?
Leptosiphon nudatus blooms Apr-Aug.
Where in California does Leptosiphon nudatus grow?
Leptosiphon nudatus occurs in Kern, Inyo, Tulare, San Benito, San Bernardino, Fresno, at elevations of 600-2400 m.
What plant family does Leptosiphon nudatus belong to?
Leptosiphon nudatus is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Leptosiphon.
What habitat does Leptosiphon nudatus grow in?
Leptosiphon nudatus grows in Openings in woodland, chaparral.
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.