Navarretia myersii
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Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Navarretia myersii is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by Prostrate, near-stemless (1° axis minute, stems <20 mm) w/ a single sessile head — unique among mostly erect CA Navarretia; GV/foothill….
Myers' navarretia is a California native annual found in low-elevation habitats, typically growing prostrate in small, compact formations. Flowering from spring to early summer, this delicate plant produces white to blue flowers in small heads 1 to 2 centimeters wide with thread-like corollas 12 to 21 millimeters long. Growing with extremely short stems less than 20 millimeters tall, it spreads low to the ground with intricate pinnate-lobed leaves 4 to 8 centimeters long that have distinctive membrane-winged bases. Its leaves feature linear lobes concentrated in the lower half of the plant, with spreading orientation from the central floral head. The fruit is translucent and uniquely designed to dehisce when moistened, revealing the plant's adaptive strategies in its native environment.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Prostrate, near-stemless (1° axis minute, stems <20 mm) w/ a single sessile head — unique among mostly erect CA Navarretia; GV/foothill vernal pools
Habitat and range
California counties: Merced, Madera, Sacramento, Amador, Calaveras, Lake
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 myersii native to California?
Yes. Navarretia myersii is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Navarretia myersii grow?
Navarretia myersii occurs in Merced, Madera, Sacramento, Amador, Calaveras, Lake.
What plant family does Navarretia myersii belong to?
Navarretia myersii is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Navarretia.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Navarretia myersii subsp. deminuta — Small pincushion navarretia
- Navarretia myersii subsp. myersii — Pincushion navarretia
- Navarretia nigelliformis
- Navarretia nigelliformis subsp. nigelliformis — Adobe navarretia
- Navarretia nigelliformis subsp. radians — Shining navarretia
- Navarretia ojaiensis — Ojai 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.