Navarretia linearifolia subsp. linearifolia
Photo: parent species Navarretia linearifolia · (c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Navarretia linearifolia subsp. linearifolia is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by individual flowers on curved stalks rather than heads.
Navarretia linearifolia is a California native annual found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, Cascade Range, northern Sierra Nevada, and Modoc Plateau in openings of sagebrush scrub, chaparral, and forest at elevations of 50 to 2,700 meters. Flowering from June to August, this delicate plant produces small flowers with corollas 5 to 10 millimeters long, often with distinctive "J" shaped pedicels. Growing with slender stems that spread or ascend, it forms compact clusters in open habitats. Its linear leaves are finely structured, reflecting the subspecies name "linearifolia". When in bloom, the flowers display an intriguing characteristic with stamens that can be either partially or fully extended beyond the flower's tube.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 41 sympatric species; distinguished by individual flowers on curved stalks rather than heads
Habitat and range
Habitat: Openings in sagebrush scrub, chaparral, forest
Elevation: 50-2700 m
Outside California: to Washington, Nevada
Bloom period
Navarretia linearifolia subsp. linearifolia 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 linearifolia subsp. linearifolia native to California?
Yes. Navarretia linearifolia subsp. linearifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Navarretia linearifolia subsp. linearifolia bloom?
Navarretia linearifolia subsp. linearifolia blooms Jun-Aug.
What plant family does Navarretia linearifolia subsp. linearifolia belong to?
Navarretia linearifolia subsp. linearifolia is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Navarretia.
What habitat does Navarretia linearifolia subsp. linearifolia grow in?
Navarretia linearifolia subsp. linearifolia grows in Openings in sagebrush scrub, chaparral, forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-08
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.