Nama densa var. densa
Photo: parent species Nama densa · (c) Daniel Kennedy, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Namaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Nama densa var. densa is a native California perennial in the Namaceae family, recognized by gray color and small flowers with single forked style.
Dense nama is a California native perennial found in eastern California Ranges, northern and central Sierra Nevada, and Great Basin in sandy or gravelly flats and slopes at elevations of 880 to 3,560 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces small white to pale lavender flowers approximately 2 to 5 millimeters long with a slightly narrowed base. Growing with spreading gray-canescent stems that have rough, spreading hairs, it forms low, compact clusters reaching 10 to 30 centimeters tall. Its leaves are densely covered in grayish hairs, giving the entire plant a soft, silvery-gray appearance. The seeds are characteristically shiny and smooth, contributing to the plant's distinctive texture.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; distinguished by gray color and small flowers with single forked style
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy or gravelly flats, slopes
Elevation: 880-3560 m
California counties: Mono, Lassen, Inyo, Plumas
Outside California: Oregon, western Nevada
Bloom period
Nama densa var. densa 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 densa var. densa native to California?
Yes. Nama densa var. densa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Nama densa var. densa bloom?
Nama densa var. densa blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Nama densa var. densa grow?
Nama densa var. densa occurs in Mono, Lassen, Inyo, Plumas, at elevations of 880-3560 m.
What plant family does Nama densa var. densa belong to?
Nama densa var. densa is in the Namaceae family, genus Nama.
What habitat does Nama densa var. densa grow in?
Nama densa var. densa grows in Sandy or gravelly flats, slopes.
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.