Leptosiphon oblanceolatus
Sierra nevada leptosiphon, Sierra Nevada Leptosiphon
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Leptosiphon oblanceolatus (Sierra nevada leptosiphon) is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by no sympatric species.
Sierra nevada leptosiphon is a rare (CNPS 4.3) California native annual found in central Sierra Nevada Mountains on open flats near meadows at elevations of 2,800 to 3,700 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces delicate white to pink flowers with yellow throats, clustered in small heads and featuring white lobes that are generally truncate or slightly notched. Growing with hairy stems 2 to 12 centimeters tall, it forms compact clusters in alpine meadow environments. Its leaves have 5 to 15 millimeter lobes that are distinctively oblanceolate in shape, giving the plant a fine, elongated appearance. The flowers feature a salverform corolla with a tube 8 to 12 millimeters long and are notably hairy on the exterior.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; no sympatric species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open flats near meadows
Elevation: 2800-3700 m
Bloom period
Leptosiphon oblanceolatus blooms Jul-Aug.
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 oblanceolatus native to California?
Yes. Leptosiphon oblanceolatus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Leptosiphon oblanceolatus bloom?
Leptosiphon oblanceolatus blooms Jul-Aug.
What plant family does Leptosiphon oblanceolatus belong to?
Leptosiphon oblanceolatus is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Leptosiphon.
Is Leptosiphon oblanceolatus rare or endangered?
Leptosiphon oblanceolatus carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
What habitat does Leptosiphon oblanceolatus grow in?
Leptosiphon oblanceolatus grows in Open flats near meadows.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.