Nama aretioides
Ground nama
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Namaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Nama aretioides (Ground nama) is a native California herb in the Namaceae family.
Ground nama is a California native perennial found in dry, rocky habitats at elevations typically between 1,000 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces small white to lavender flowers with a salverform corolla measuring 5 to 18 millimeters long. Growing with prostrate stems 3 to 12 centimeters long that are repeatedly forked, it forms dense, low-growing mats covered in coarse, appressed hairs that are often swollen at the base. Its leaves are nearly sessile and closely attached to the stem, contributing to the plant's compact, ground-hugging growth form. The tiny seeds are compressed, irregularly elliptic-ovoid, and range from brown to black with subtle surface textures.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated, prostrate habit with sessile flowers
Habitat and range
California counties: Inyo, Lassen, Mono, Tulare, Sierra, Kern
How to tell it apart
vs Diplacus: Nama has purple to blue tubular flowers with unequal stamens; Diplacus has 2-lipped snapdragon-like flowers often yellow or orange.; vs Phacelia: Nama has stamens at different heights in the flower tube; Phacelia has all stamens attached at the same level.; vs Gilia: Nama is a low mat-forming plant with small purple flowers; Gilia is typically more upright with flowers in round heads.; vs Calibrachoa: Nama has small tubular flowers in clusters; Calibrachoa has large showy petunia-like flowers with wide flaring petals.; vs Erodium: Nama has purple tubular flowers; Erodium has pink 5-petaled flowers and distinctive long beak-like fruits.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nama aretioides native to California?
Yes. Nama aretioides is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Nama aretioides grow?
Nama aretioides occurs in Inyo, Lassen, Mono, Tulare, Sierra, Kern.
What plant family does Nama aretioides belong to?
Nama aretioides is in the Namaceae family, genus Nama.
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.