Linanthus maculatus
Little san bernardino mountains linanthus, Little San Bernardino Mountains Linanthus
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Linanthus maculatus (Little san bernardino mountains linanthus) is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by perennial with small recurved petals and yellow pollen.
Little san bernardino mountains linanthus is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in the Desert Mountains, southwestern Mojave Desert, and western Colorado Desert in sandy washes and flats at elevations of 900 to 1,100 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces delicate white flowers with distinctive red spots at the base of the corolla lobes, approximately 3 to 5 millimeters long. Growing with tiny stems 1 to 3 centimeters tall, it forms dense compact clusters with fine hairs covering the plant. Its leaves are small, 2 to 5 millimeters long, with narrow oblong or lanceolate shapes and entire margins. The plant produces small widely ovoid fruits containing 6 to 16 seeds, reflecting its diminutive and intricate desert adaptation.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species; perennial with small recurved petals and yellow pollen
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy washes, flats
Elevation: 900-1100 m.
California counties: Riverside, San Bernardino
Bloom period
Linanthus maculatus blooms Apr-May.
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 maculatus native to California?
Yes. Linanthus maculatus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Linanthus maculatus bloom?
Linanthus maculatus blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Linanthus maculatus grow?
Linanthus maculatus occurs in Riverside, San Bernardino, at elevations of 900-1100 m..
What plant family does Linanthus maculatus belong to?
Linanthus maculatus is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Linanthus.
Is Linanthus maculatus rare or endangered?
Linanthus maculatus 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 · 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.