Navarretia gowenii
Lime ridge navarretia, Lime Ridge Navarretia
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Navarretia gowenii (Lime ridge navarretia) is a native California annual in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by distinctive lobed cotyledons and very restricted range.
Lime ridge navarretia is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in the San Joaquin Valley (Stanislaus County) and San Francisco Bay Area (Contra Costa County) on clay and serpentine soils at elevations of 200 to 300 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces delicate white to cream flowers with distinctive purple spots at the base of the flower lobes, measuring 8 to 10 millimeters long. Growing 5 to 30 centimeters tall with tan to red-brown stems that have ascending glandular branches, it develops a complex 2-pinnate-lobed leaf structure with linear axes and many-toothed linear to lanceolate leaf tips. Its leaves are glandular-hairy with 2 to 3 deeply lobed cotyledons, creating an intricate botanical profile. The flower's bracts are glandular-hairy, with outer bracts expanded at the base and narrowing toward the tip, giving the plant a distinctive and delicate appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 23 sympatric species; distinctive lobed cotyledons and very restricted range
Habitat and range
Habitat: Clay, serpentine soils
Elevation: 200-300 m
California counties: Contra Costa, Stanislaus, San Benito
Bloom period
Navarretia gowenii blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 gowenii native to California?
Yes. Navarretia gowenii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Navarretia gowenii bloom?
Navarretia gowenii blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Navarretia gowenii grow?
Navarretia gowenii occurs in Contra Costa, Stanislaus, San Benito, at elevations of 200-300 m.
What plant family does Navarretia gowenii belong to?
Navarretia gowenii is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Navarretia.
Is Navarretia gowenii rare or endangered?
Navarretia gowenii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
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 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.