Nama densa var. parviflora
Photo: parent species Nama densa · (c) Daniel Kennedy, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Namaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Nama densa var. parviflora is a native California perennial in the Namaceae family, recognized by var. densa by green color and seed texture.
Dense nama is a California native perennial found in eastern California Ranges and Modoc Plateau in sandy or gravelly flats and slopes at elevations of 1,340 to 1,680 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces small white to pale flowers 3 to 8 millimeters long. Growing with green stems that have sparse bristly hairs, it reaches a low-spreading form with delicate branching. Its leaves are generally sparse and covered with strigose hairs, creating a subtle textural appearance across the plant's surface. The tiny seeds feature intricate cross-ridged surfaces with fine depressions, reflecting the plant's delicate botanical architecture.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; distinguished from var. densa by green color and seed texture
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy or gravelly flats, slopes
Elevation: 1340-1680 m
Outside California: to Washington, Wyoming, western Colorado
Bloom period
Nama densa var. parviflora blooms Jun-Aug.
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. parviflora native to California?
Yes. Nama densa var. parviflora is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Nama densa var. parviflora bloom?
Nama densa var. parviflora blooms Jun-Aug.
What plant family does Nama densa var. parviflora belong to?
Nama densa var. parviflora is in the Namaceae family, genus Nama.
What habitat does Nama densa var. parviflora grow in?
Nama densa var. parviflora grows in Sandy or gravelly 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.