Navarretia leucocephala subsp. bakeri
Baker's navarretia, Baker's Navarretia
Photo: parent species Navarretia leucocephala · no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Navarretia leucocephala subsp. bakeri (Baker's navarretia) is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by smaller size and included corolla tube vs subsp. leucocephala.
Baker's navarretia is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, California Ranges, western Sacramento Valley, and northern San Francisco Bay Area in vernal pools at elevations below 1,700 meters. Flowering from April to July, this delicate plant produces white flowers with linear corolla lobes in small, compact heads. Growing with erect stems 2 to 10 centimeters tall and ascending branches, it forms a compact, intricate structure. Its leaves are finely divided with branching lobes, creating a distinctive, delicate appearance with narrow, thread-like segments. The flower's white corolla tube has a narrow throat just 1 to 2 millimeters wide, giving the plant a subtle, intricate beauty characteristic of vernal pool environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 41 sympatric species; smaller size and included corolla tube vs subsp. leucocephala
Habitat and range
Habitat: Vernal pools
Elevation: < 1700 m
California counties: Mendocino, Solano, Lake, Trinity, Sonoma, Colusa, Tehama, Merced, Marin, Sutter, Glenn, Napa, Madera, Humboldt, Lassen, Yolo
Bloom period
Navarretia leucocephala subsp. bakeri blooms Apr-Jul.
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 leucocephala subsp. bakeri native to California?
Yes. Navarretia leucocephala subsp. bakeri is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Navarretia leucocephala subsp. bakeri bloom?
Navarretia leucocephala subsp. bakeri blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Navarretia leucocephala subsp. bakeri grow?
Navarretia leucocephala subsp. bakeri occurs in Mendocino, Solano, Lake, Trinity, Sonoma, Colusa, Tehama, Merced and other counties, at elevations of < 1700 m.
What plant family does Navarretia leucocephala subsp. bakeri belong to?
Navarretia leucocephala subsp. bakeri is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Navarretia.
Is Navarretia leucocephala subsp. bakeri rare or endangered?
Navarretia leucocephala subsp. bakeri 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.