Linanthus dichotomus subsp. pattersonii
Photo: parent species Linanthus dichotomus · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Linanthus dichotomus subsp. pattersonii is a native California annual in the Polemoniaceae family.
Patterson's linanthus is a California native annual found in southern desert and chaparral regions at elevations below 1,700 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces delicate pale flowers with a distinctive evening-blooming habit, opening in the late afternoon and closing during daylight hours. Growing as a slender, branching herb with thin stems that spread in a forked or dichotomous pattern, it forms delicate low-growing clusters across arid landscapes. Its small leaves are typically finely divided and positioned along the branching stems, contributing to its delicate appearance. When in full bloom, the flowers feature a notable corolla tube 7 to 10 millimeters long, creating an ethereal presence in its desert and chaparral habitats.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, desert
Elevation: < 1700 m
Outside California: Nevada, Baja California
Bloom period
Linanthus dichotomus subsp. pattersonii blooms Apr-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 dichotomus subsp. pattersonii native to California?
Yes. Linanthus dichotomus subsp. pattersonii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Linanthus dichotomus subsp. pattersonii bloom?
Linanthus dichotomus subsp. pattersonii blooms Apr-Jun.
What plant family does Linanthus dichotomus subsp. pattersonii belong to?
Linanthus dichotomus subsp. pattersonii is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Linanthus.
What habitat does Linanthus dichotomus subsp. pattersonii grow in?
Linanthus dichotomus subsp. pattersonii grows in Chaparral, desert.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.