Navarretia mitracarpa
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Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Navarretia mitracarpa is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by exserted blue flowers and unique fruit structure.
Navarretia mitracarpa is a California native annual herb found in southern Coast Ranges and southwestern California in open, grassy serpentine areas at elevations of 200 to 500 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces blue flowers with white throats 7 to 11 millimeters long, with delicate lobes 2 to 4 millimeters in length. Growing 3 to 20 centimeters tall with ascending stems that have spreading branches and white hairs, it develops a distinctive branching structure. Its lower leaves are 1 to 2-pinnately lobed with needle-like segments, while upper leaves are hairy underneath with toothed tips. The plant's intricate blue and white flowers and delicate, finely divided foliage make it a distinctive inhabitant of serpentine grasslands.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 25 sympatric species; distinguished by exserted blue flowers and unique fruit structure
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, grassy, serpentine areas
Elevation: 200-500 m
California counties: Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Fresno, Monterey, Plumas, Santa Barbara, San Benito, Ventura, Kern, Tulare, Kings, Lake
Bloom period
Navarretia mitracarpa blooms May-Jul.
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 mitracarpa native to California?
Yes. Navarretia mitracarpa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Navarretia mitracarpa bloom?
Navarretia mitracarpa blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Navarretia mitracarpa grow?
Navarretia mitracarpa occurs in Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Fresno, Monterey, Plumas, Santa Barbara, San Benito, Ventura and other counties, at elevations of 200-500 m.
What plant family does Navarretia mitracarpa belong to?
Navarretia mitracarpa is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Navarretia.
What habitat does Navarretia mitracarpa grow in?
Navarretia mitracarpa grows in Open, grassy, serpentine areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.