Nama aretioides var. californica
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Namaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Nama aretioides var. californica is a native California perennial in the Namaceae family, recognized by flower size and seed surface.
Nama aretioides variety californica is a California native perennial found in southern Modoc Plateau (excluding Warner Mountains) on sandy and loam flats and slopes at elevations of 1,370 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces delicate white or pale pink flowers 5 to 9 millimeters long with subtle stamens. Growing with low, compact stems, it forms dense, ground-hugging clusters characteristic of its habitat. Its leaves are distinctively narrow, ranging from 4 to 20 millimeters long, shaped like slender spoons or linear forms that tightly hug the plant's structure. The tiny black seeds, less than 1 millimeter in size, are smooth or minutely textured, completing this small but intricate alpine species.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; distinguished by flower size and seed surface
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy, loam flats, slopes
Elevation: 1370-1500 m
Outside California: western Nevada
Bloom period
Nama aretioides var. californica blooms May-Jul.
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 var. californica native to California?
Yes. Nama aretioides var. californica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Nama aretioides var. californica bloom?
Nama aretioides var. californica blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Nama aretioides var. californica belong to?
Nama aretioides var. californica is in the Namaceae family, genus Nama.
What habitat does Nama aretioides var. californica grow in?
Nama aretioides var. californica grows in Sandy, loam flats, slopes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.