Nama aretioides var. multiflora
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Namaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Nama aretioides var. multiflora is a native California perennial in the Namaceae family, recognized by large flower size and leaf shape.
Nama aretioides is a California native perennial found in northern Sierra Nevada Mountains, Great Basin, and northern Death Valley Mountains (Argus and Panamint ranges) in dry, sandy areas at elevations of 1,000 to 2,150 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces pink or purple flowers 9 to 18 millimeters long with delicate, distinctive coloration. Growing with low-spreading stems, it forms compact clusters close to the ground. Its leaves are lanceolate to spoon-shaped, ranging from 7 to 30 millimeters in length, creating a dense ground-hugging mat. The tiny seeds are brown to black, with intricate minute cross-ridged surfaces.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species; distinguished by large flower size and leaf shape
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, sandy areas
Elevation: 1000-2150 m
Outside California: Nevada
Bloom period
Nama aretioides var. multiflora blooms May-Jun.
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. multiflora native to California?
Yes. Nama aretioides var. multiflora is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Nama aretioides var. multiflora bloom?
Nama aretioides var. multiflora blooms May-Jun.
What plant family does Nama aretioides var. multiflora belong to?
Nama aretioides var. multiflora is in the Namaceae family, genus Nama.
What habitat does Nama aretioides var. multiflora grow in?
Nama aretioides var. multiflora grows in Dry, sandy areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.