Linanthus concinnus
San gabriel linanthus, San Gabriel Linanthus
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Linanthus concinnus (San gabriel linanthus) is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by large white flowers with yellow throat and purple marks.
San gabriel linanthus is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in the San Gabriel Mountains on dry rocky slopes at elevations of 1,700 to 2,800 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces delicate white flowers with a yellow throat marked by two distinctive dark purple spots at the base of the petals. Growing with tiny glandular-hairy stems 1 to 12 centimeters tall, it forms compact clusters of 3 to 7 flowers. Its opposite to slightly alternate leaves have linear lobes 8 to 15 millimeters long, creating a delicate, intricate appearance. The small obovoid fruits remain shorter than the ten-millimeter calyx, containing 6 to 12 non-gelatinous seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; large white flowers with yellow throat and purple marks
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry rocky slopes
Elevation: 1700-2800 m
California counties: Los Angeles, San Bernardino
Bloom period
Linanthus concinnus blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 concinnus native to California?
Yes. Linanthus concinnus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Linanthus concinnus bloom?
Linanthus concinnus blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Linanthus concinnus grow?
Linanthus concinnus occurs in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, at elevations of 1700-2800 m.
What plant family does Linanthus concinnus belong to?
Linanthus concinnus is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Linanthus.
Is Linanthus concinnus rare or endangered?
Linanthus concinnus carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · 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.