Linanthus jaegeri
San jacinto linanthus, San Jacinto Linanthus
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Linanthus jaegeri (San jacinto linanthus) is a native California subshrub in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by cushion habit, long corolla tube, and 6 petals.
San jacinto linanthus is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in the San Jacinto Mountains in dry rocky areas at elevations of 2,900 to 3,000 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces white flowers with funnel-shaped corollas 17 to 30 millimeters long, featuring oblanceolate lobes 7 to 9 millimeters across. Growing as a compact tufted herb 2 to 10 centimeters tall with glandular-hairy stems, it forms dense clusters in rocky terrain. Its opposite leaves are divided into 3 pinnate linear lobes 10 to 15 millimeters long with sharp tips, creating a delicate, intricate foliage structure. The small plant produces fruit less than the length of its calyx, containing 12 to 30 seeds packed into its compact form.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; cushion habit, long corolla tube, and 6 petals
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry rocky areas
Elevation: 2900-3000 m
California counties: Riverside, San Bernardino
Bloom period
Linanthus jaegeri blooms May-Jul.
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 jaegeri native to California?
Yes. Linanthus jaegeri is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Linanthus jaegeri bloom?
Linanthus jaegeri blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Linanthus jaegeri grow?
Linanthus jaegeri occurs in Riverside, San Bernardino, at elevations of 2900-3000 m.
What plant family does Linanthus jaegeri belong to?
Linanthus jaegeri is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Linanthus.
Is Linanthus jaegeri rare or endangered?
Linanthus jaegeri carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Linanthus jonesii — Jones linanthus
- Linanthus killipii — Baldwin lake linanthus
- Linanthus maculatus — Little san bernardino mountains linanthus
- Linanthus maculatus subsp. emaculatus — Jacumba Mountains linanthus
- Linanthus maculatus subsp. maculatus — Little San Bernardino Mtns. linanthus
- Linanthus orcuttii — Orcutt's linanthus
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.