Linanthus killipii
Baldwin lake linanthus, Baldwin Lake Linanthus
(c) Melanie J. Davis, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Linanthus killipii (Baldwin lake linanthus) is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by yellow tube/throat with single red petal mark and exserted stamens.
Baldwin lake linanthus is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in central San Bernardino Mountains at Baldwin Lake in dry openings of pinyon and juniper woodland at elevations of 1,700 to 2,400 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces yellow and white flowers with a distinctive red mark at the base of the white corolla lobes. Growing with hairy stems 5 to 15 centimeters tall, it forms delicate, compact plants in high-elevation desert habitats. Its leaves are finely divided with linear lobes 3 to 10 millimeters long, creating a delicate, lacy appearance. The small funnel-shaped flowers have a yellow tube and throat, with white lobes measuring 3 to 4 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; yellow tube/throat with single red petal mark and exserted stamens
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry openings in pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: 1700-2400 m
California counties: San Bernardino
Bloom period
Linanthus killipii 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 killipii native to California?
Yes. Linanthus killipii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Linanthus killipii bloom?
Linanthus killipii blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Linanthus killipii grow?
Linanthus killipii occurs in San Bernardino, at elevations of 1700-2400 m.
What plant family does Linanthus killipii belong to?
Linanthus killipii is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Linanthus.
Is Linanthus killipii rare or endangered?
Linanthus killipii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Linanthus parryae — Parry's linanthus
- Linanthus pungens — Granite gilia
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.