Navarretia fossalis
Spreading navarretia, Spreading Navarretia
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Threatened
Navarretia fossalis (Spreading navarretia) is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by distinctive spreading habit and narrow linear petals.
Spreading navarretia is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in southern San Luis Obispo County, southwestern California, and the Mojave Desert in Los Angeles County, inhabiting vernal pools and ditches at elevations of 30 to 1,300 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces delicate white flowers in small clusters with linear corolla lobes less than 1 millimeter wide. Growing with spreading stems 1 to 15 centimeters tall, branching from the base with sparsely recurved hairs, it forms a delicate and open structure. Its leaves are pinnate-lobed with linear, sparse lobes that are either entire or occasionally forked, creating a fine, intricate foliage pattern. The fruit consists of two translucent chambers that open when wetted, a unique adaptation to its vernal pool habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 23 sympatric species; distinctive spreading habit and narrow linear petals
Habitat and range
Habitat: Vernal pools, ditches
Elevation: 30-1300 m
California counties: San Diego, Riverside, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Navarretia fossalis blooms Apr-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1 · Threatened
How to tell it apart
vs Leptosiphon: Navarretia has spiny, thistle-like flower heads; Leptosiphon has open flower clusters without spines.; vs Gilia: Navarretia has very short glandular hairs; Gilia has white cobwebby or bent hairs.; vs Eriastrum: Navarretia flower heads are spiny but not woolly; Eriastrum heads are densely woolly-white.; vs Saltugilia: Wet the seeds - Navarretia seeds become gelatinous; Saltugilia seeds stay dry.; vs Eryngium: Navarretia has tubular flowers in heads; Eryngium has tiny separate flowers and divided leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Navarretia fossalis native to California?
Yes. Navarretia fossalis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Navarretia fossalis bloom?
Navarretia fossalis blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Navarretia fossalis grow?
Navarretia fossalis occurs in San Diego, Riverside, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, at elevations of 30-1300 m.
What plant family does Navarretia fossalis belong to?
Navarretia fossalis is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Navarretia.
Is Navarretia fossalis rare or endangered?
Navarretia fossalis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.