Leptosiphon pachyphyllus
Sierra linanthus
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Leptosiphon pachyphyllus (Sierra linanthus) is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by robust perennial habit and large flowers.
Sierra linanthus is a California native perennial found in the Sierra Nevada and eastern Sierra Nevada in open, wooded areas at elevations of 1,700 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces white and pale yellow flowers with white lobes and a yellow throat, arranged in small clusters. Growing with hairy stems 10 to 20 centimeters tall, it develops a compact, delicate form. Its leaves have 5 lobes, each 10 to 16 millimeters long and lance-linear in shape, giving the plant a fine, intricate texture. The flower's funnel-shaped corolla tube reaches 12 to 15 millimeters long, with stamens extending slightly beyond the petals.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species; distinguished by robust perennial habit and large flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, wooded areas
Elevation: 1700-2500 m
California counties: Fresno, Inyo, Mono, Tulare, Alpine, Kern, El Dorado
Bloom period
Leptosiphon pachyphyllus blooms Jun-Sep.
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 pachyphyllus native to California?
Yes. Leptosiphon pachyphyllus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Leptosiphon pachyphyllus bloom?
Leptosiphon pachyphyllus blooms Jun-Sep.
Where in California does Leptosiphon pachyphyllus grow?
Leptosiphon pachyphyllus occurs in Fresno, Inyo, Mono, Tulare, Alpine, Kern, El Dorado, at elevations of 1700-2500 m.
What plant family does Leptosiphon pachyphyllus belong to?
Leptosiphon pachyphyllus is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Leptosiphon.
What habitat does Leptosiphon pachyphyllus grow in?
Leptosiphon pachyphyllus grows in Open, wooded areas.
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.