Linanthus campanulatus
Bellshape gilia
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Linanthus campanulatus (Bellshape gilia) is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by perennial habit and bell-shaped yellow flowers.
Bellshape gilia is a California native perennial found in the eastern Sierra Nevada in open, sandy flats at elevations of 900 to 2,100 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces yellow flowers with white lobes, 7 to 9 millimeters long and featuring two brown-purple or yellow marks near the base. Growing with delicate stems 3 to 12 centimeters tall and spreading branches that are glandular-hairy, it has a sparse, open growth habit. Its leaves range from narrowly oblanceolate basal leaves with white jointed hairs to upper cauline leaves that are gland-dotted and entire. Seeds become gelatinous when wet, forming clusters of 7 to 8 per chamber.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species; perennial habit and bell-shaped yellow flowers are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, sandy flats
Elevation: 900-2100 m
California counties: Inyo, Mono
Outside California: Nevada
Bloom period
Linanthus campanulatus blooms May-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Phlox: Linanthus has alternate leaves; Phlox has opposite leaves paired along the stem.; vs Leptosiphon: Linanthus has rigid, sharp leaf tips and nocturnal flowers; Leptosiphon has soft leaf tips and day-blooming flowers.; vs Gilia: Linanthus has wheel-shaped flowers with lobes longer than tube; Gilia has narrow funnel flowers with tube longer than lobes.; vs Coleonema: Linanthus has palm-divided leaves and phlox flowers; Coleonema has needle-like leaves and 5-petaled star flowers.; vs Navarretia: Linanthus has open wheel flowers and non-spiny leaves; Navarretia has tiny tube flowers hidden in spiny bracts.
Frequently asked questions
Is Linanthus campanulatus native to California?
Yes. Linanthus campanulatus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Linanthus campanulatus bloom?
Linanthus campanulatus blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Linanthus campanulatus grow?
Linanthus campanulatus occurs in Inyo, Mono, at elevations of 900-2100 m.
What plant family does Linanthus campanulatus belong to?
Linanthus campanulatus is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Linanthus.
What habitat does Linanthus campanulatus grow in?
Linanthus campanulatus grows in Open, sandy flats.
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.