Navarretia leucocephala subsp. minima
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Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Navarretia leucocephala subsp. minima is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by small stature and white flowers with included tubes.
Navarretia leucocephala subsp. minima is a California native annual herb found in the northern Sierra Nevada Mountains and Modoc Plateau in vernal pool habitats at elevations below 2,200 meters. Flowering from June to August, this delicate plant produces white flowers in compact heads 1 to 2 centimeters wide with linear corolla lobes. Growing with short stems just 2 to 8 centimeters tall, it forms dense, intricate clusters with finely branched inflorescences. Its complex flower structure features bracts shorter than the flower head, with each branch divided into 3 to 4 distinctive segments. The small white flowers have a narrow throat just 1 to 2 millimeters wide, creating a subtle and intricate botanical display.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 22 sympatric species; distinguished by small stature and white flowers with included tubes
Habitat and range
Habitat: Vernal pools
Elevation: < 2200 m
California counties: Lassen, Nevada, Tehama, Placer, Sierra, Shasta, Modoc, Plumas, El Dorado, Alpine, Siskiyou, Butte, Lake, Humboldt, Merced, Madera, Sacramento, Amador, Mono
Outside California: to Washington, Utah
Bloom period
Navarretia leucocephala subsp. minima blooms Jun-Aug.
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. minima native to California?
Yes. Navarretia leucocephala subsp. minima is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Navarretia leucocephala subsp. minima bloom?
Navarretia leucocephala subsp. minima blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Navarretia leucocephala subsp. minima grow?
Navarretia leucocephala subsp. minima occurs in Lassen, Nevada, Tehama, Placer, Sierra, Shasta, Modoc, Plumas and other counties, at elevations of < 2200 m.
What plant family does Navarretia leucocephala subsp. minima belong to?
Navarretia leucocephala subsp. minima is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Navarretia.
What habitat does Navarretia leucocephala subsp. minima grow in?
Navarretia leucocephala subsp. minima grows in Vernal pools.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Navarretia leucocephala subsp. pauciflora — Few-flowered navarretia
- Navarretia leucocephala subsp. plieantha — Many-flowered navarretia
- Navarretia leucocephala subsp. suksdorfii
- Navarretia linearifolia
- Navarretia linearifolia subsp. linearifolia
- Navarretia linearifolia subsp. pinnatisecta — Pinnate-leaved navarretia
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.