Leptosiphon septentrionalis
Northern linanthus
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Trevor Van Loon · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Leptosiphon septentrionalis (Northern linanthus) is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by Great Basin habitat and very small flowers diagnostic.
Northern linanthus is a California native annual found in the Great Basin bioregion in sagebrush scrub and pinyon/juniper woodland at elevations of 2,000 to 3,000 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces delicate white flowers with yellow throats, each flower funnel-shaped and small. Growing with thread-like stems 5 to 30 centimeters tall, it has an elegant, slender appearance. Its leaves feature fine, thread-like lobes 5 to 20 millimeters long, giving the plant a graceful, airy texture. Each stem typically bears a single flower on a thin 10 to 25 millimeter peduncle, creating a minimalist botanical profile.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; Great Basin habitat and very small flowers diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Sagebrush scrub, pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: 2000-3000 m
California counties: Kern, Mono, Modoc
Outside California: to western Canada, Colorado
Bloom period
Leptosiphon septentrionalis blooms May-Jul.
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 septentrionalis native to California?
Yes. Leptosiphon septentrionalis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Leptosiphon septentrionalis bloom?
Leptosiphon septentrionalis blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Leptosiphon septentrionalis grow?
Leptosiphon septentrionalis occurs in Kern, Mono, Modoc, at elevations of 2000-3000 m.
What plant family does Leptosiphon septentrionalis belong to?
Leptosiphon septentrionalis is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Leptosiphon.
What habitat does Leptosiphon septentrionalis grow in?
Leptosiphon septentrionalis grows in Common. Sagebrush scrub, pinyon/juniper woodland.
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.