Linanthus filiformis
Yellow gilia
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Linanthus filiformis (Yellow gilia) is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by perennial habit and yellow flowers with exserted stamens.
Yellow gilia is a native perennial found in the eastern Sierra Nevada and desert bioregions on open, rocky canyon slopes and washes at elevations of 300 to 2,800 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces delicate yellow flowers 4 to 7 millimeters long with distinctive oblong corolla lobes. Growing with thin, thread-like stems 5 to 15 centimeters tall, it has few to many glaucous branches and sparse, spreading cauline leaves. Its thread-like leaves measure 1 to 3 centimeters long and are generally entire, creating a delicate appearance. Seeds become gelatinous when wet, allowing the plant to thrive in challenging desert and canyon environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 16 sympatric species; perennial habit and yellow flowers with exserted stamens
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, rocky canyon slopes, washes
Elevation: 300-2800 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo, Mono, San Diego
Outside California: to Utah, Arizona
Bloom period
Linanthus filiformis blooms Mar-May.
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 filiformis native to California?
Yes. Linanthus filiformis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Linanthus filiformis bloom?
Linanthus filiformis blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Linanthus filiformis grow?
Linanthus filiformis occurs in San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo, Mono, San Diego, at elevations of 300-2800 m.
What plant family does Linanthus filiformis belong to?
Linanthus filiformis is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Linanthus.
What habitat does Linanthus filiformis grow in?
Linanthus filiformis grows in Open, rocky canyon slopes, washes.
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.