Leptosiphon nuttallii
Nuttall's linanthus
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Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Leptosiphon nuttallii (Nuttall's linanthus) is a native California subshrub in the Polemoniaceae family.
Nuttall's linanthus is a California native perennial herb found in open grasslands and coastal areas at elevations of 10 to 500 meters. Flowering from April to June, this delicate plant produces white to light yellow flowers with yellow throats, forming small clusters of blooms 4 to 5 millimeters long. Growing with multiple slender stems 10 to 20 centimeters tall, the plant has a distinctly hairy appearance with fine, soft hairs covering its structure. Its leaves are divided into 5 narrow, linear lobes, creating a delicate and intricate foliage pattern. The small plant produces seed capsules less than 2 millimeters in length, adding to its diminutive and subtle botanical charm.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 0 sympatric species; geographically isolated perennial
Habitat and range
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo, Mono, Humboldt, Tulare, Trinity, Fresno, Modoc, Siskiyou, Plumas, Tuolumne, Riverside, El Dorado, Tehama
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 nuttallii native to California?
Yes. Leptosiphon nuttallii is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Leptosiphon nuttallii grow?
Leptosiphon nuttallii occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, Mono, Humboldt, Tulare, Trinity, Fresno, Modoc and other counties.
What plant family does Leptosiphon nuttallii belong to?
Leptosiphon nuttallii is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Leptosiphon.
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.