Loeseliastrum schottii
Schott gilia
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Loeseliastrum schottii (Schott gilia) is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by differentiated by intermediate flower size and pointed lower lip tips.
Schott gilia is a California native annual found in southwestern San Joaquin Valley, southern Coast Ranges, Transverse Ranges, Great Basin, and desert regions in sandy desert washes, flats, and slopes at elevations generally below 1,800 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces white to pink flowers 8 to 15 millimeters long with distinctive maroon-streaked lobe bases and a two-lipped corolla. Growing with delicate stems reaching up to 30 centimeters tall, it spreads across open desert landscapes. Its leaves are largest near the base, oblanceolate with coarse teeth that end in bristle-like tips, creating a distinctive textured appearance. The flower's upper lip extends about half to three-quarters the length of the corolla tube, with lobes tipped in delicate bristles.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; differentiated by intermediate flower size and pointed lower lip tips
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Desert washes, flats, slopes, sandy to gravelly soils
Elevation: generally < 1800 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo, Imperial, San Diego, Ventura, Kern, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, San Benito, Mono, Kings, Los Angeles, Monterey, Mariposa, Fresno
Outside California: to southwestern Utah, western Arizona, northern Mexico
Bloom period
Loeseliastrum schottii blooms Mar-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Langloisia: Loeseliastrum flowers are bilateral/lopsided; Langloisia flowers are radially symmetric in all directions.; vs Eriastrum: Loeseliastrum has simple straight hairs and bilateral flowers; Eriastrum has woolly tufted hairs and radial flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Loeseliastrum schottii native to California?
Yes. Loeseliastrum schottii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Loeseliastrum schottii bloom?
Loeseliastrum schottii blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Loeseliastrum schottii grow?
Loeseliastrum schottii occurs in San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo, Imperial, San Diego, Ventura, Kern, Santa Barbara and other counties, at elevations of generally < 1800 m.
What plant family does Loeseliastrum schottii belong to?
Loeseliastrum schottii is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Loeseliastrum.
What habitat does Loeseliastrum schottii grow in?
Loeseliastrum schottii grows in Common. Desert washes, flats, slopes, sandy to gravelly soils.
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.