Lithospermum californicum
California stoneseed, California Stoneseed
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lithospermum californicum (California stoneseed) is a native California herb in the Boraginaceae family.
California stoneseed is a native perennial herb found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, and northern Sierra Nevada foothills in open, dry slopes, yellow-pine forests, pine/oak woodlands, and chaparral at elevations of 250 to 1,900 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces golden yellow flowers 12 to 18 millimeters long with salverform corollas and delicate, entire lobes. Growing with 1 to several stems 15 to 40 centimeters tall, it forms clustered, somewhat branched stems with a woody caudex. Its leaves are scattered, with oblong to lance-ovate blades 2.5 to 5 centimeters long, creating an open, sparse appearance. The fruit consists of smooth, shiny white nutlets 3.5 to 5 millimeters long with an abruptly short tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; key differentiator is bright golden yellow flowers vs white/pale yellow in co-occurring species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, dry slopes, yellow-pine forest, pine/oak woodland, chaparral
Elevation: 250-1900 m
California counties: Shasta, Siskiyou, Del Norte, Trinity, Tehama, Plumas, Modoc, Butte, Tuolumne, Glenn, Placer, Yuba, Nevada, Alameda, Humboldt, Lassen
Outside California: southwestern Oregon
Bloom period
Lithospermum californicum blooms Apr-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Diplacus: Lithospermum has tiny tubular flowers in leafy clusters; Diplacus has showy snapdragon-like flowers.; vs Amsinckia: Lithospermum has leafy bracts throughout the flower cluster; Amsinckia has naked coiled spikes.; vs Lantana: Lithospermum has tubular single flowers; Lantana has dense rounded flower heads with square stems.; vs Echium: Lithospermum flowers are radially symmetrical; Echium flowers are irregular with protruding stamens.; vs Mertensia: Lithospermum has white/yellow flowers in dry habitats; Mertensia has blue/pink bells in moist sites.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lithospermum californicum native to California?
Yes. Lithospermum californicum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lithospermum californicum bloom?
Lithospermum californicum blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Lithospermum californicum grow?
Lithospermum californicum occurs in Shasta, Siskiyou, Del Norte, Trinity, Tehama, Plumas, Modoc, Butte and other counties, at elevations of 250-1900 m.
What plant family does Lithospermum californicum belong to?
Lithospermum californicum is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Lithospermum.
What habitat does Lithospermum californicum grow in?
Lithospermum californicum grows in Open, dry slopes, yellow-pine forest, pine/oak woodland, chaparral.
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.