Navarretia jepsonii
Jepson's navarretia, Jepson's Navarretia
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Navarretia jepsonii (Jepson's navarretia) is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by dark red bracts and 8-valved fruit distinctive.
Jepson's navarretia is a California native annual found in the northern Coast Ranges in open, grassy or serpentine areas at elevations of 150 to 800 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces purple flowers with white throats approximately 9 to 11 millimeters long, featuring darker purple spots at the base of the flower lobes. Growing with erect to ascending stems 5 to 15 centimeters tall, it has reddish branches densely covered in white hairs. Its leaves are intricately 1 to 2-pinnate-lobed with needle-like segments, creating a delicate and feathery appearance. The inflorescence bracts are dark red and coarsely white-hairy, with gland-dotted lobes adding to its distinctive visual texture.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 27 sympatric species; dark red bracts and 8-valved fruit distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, grassy or clay flats, serpentine areas
Elevation: 150-800 m
California counties: Lake, Napa, Sonoma, Placer, Colusa, Tehama, Glenn, Mendocino
Bloom period
Navarretia jepsonii blooms Apr-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 jepsonii native to California?
Yes. Navarretia jepsonii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Navarretia jepsonii bloom?
Navarretia jepsonii blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Navarretia jepsonii grow?
Navarretia jepsonii occurs in Lake, Napa, Sonoma, Placer, Colusa, Tehama, Glenn, Mendocino, at elevations of 150-800 m.
What plant family does Navarretia jepsonii belong to?
Navarretia jepsonii is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Navarretia.
Is Navarretia jepsonii rare or endangered?
Navarretia jepsonii carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
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.