Navarretia linearifolia subsp. pinnatisecta
Pinnate-leaved navarretia, Pinnate-Leaved Navarretia
Photo: parent species Navarretia linearifolia · (c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Navarretia linearifolia subsp. pinnatisecta (Pinnate-leaved navarretia) is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by large individual pink flowers with exserted parts.
Pinnate-leaved navarretia is a native annual herb found in the Klamath Ranges and northern California Interior Ranges in openings within sagebrush scrub, chaparral, and forest habitats on serpentine or red volcanic soils at elevations of 300 to 2,200 meters. Flowering from June to August, this delicate plant produces small white to pale lavender flowers with a corolla 10 to 20 millimeters long, featuring distinctively exserted stamens and style. Growing with slender, branching stems that reach 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it has a delicate and open growth habit. Its leaves are finely dissected with narrow, thread-like segments, creating a feathery and intricate appearance characteristic of its subspecies. This rare plant (CNPS rank 4.3) is particularly notable for its specialized habitat preferences and intricate leaf structure.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 28 sympatric species; distinguished by large individual pink flowers with exserted parts
Habitat and range
Habitat: Openings in sagebrush scrub, chaparral, or forest, serpentine or red volcanic soils
Elevation: 300-2200 m
Bloom period
Navarretia linearifolia subsp. pinnatisecta blooms Jun-Aug.
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 linearifolia subsp. pinnatisecta native to California?
Yes. Navarretia linearifolia subsp. pinnatisecta is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Navarretia linearifolia subsp. pinnatisecta bloom?
Navarretia linearifolia subsp. pinnatisecta blooms Jun-Aug.
What plant family does Navarretia linearifolia subsp. pinnatisecta belong to?
Navarretia linearifolia subsp. pinnatisecta is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Navarretia.
Is Navarretia linearifolia subsp. pinnatisecta rare or endangered?
Navarretia linearifolia subsp. pinnatisecta carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
What habitat does Navarretia linearifolia subsp. pinnatisecta grow in?
Navarretia linearifolia subsp. pinnatisecta grows in Openings in sagebrush scrub, chaparral, or forest, serpentine or red volcanic soils.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.