Navarretia nigelliformis subsp. nigelliformis
Adobe navarretia, Adobe Navarretia
(c) My-Lan Le, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Navarretia nigelliformis subsp. nigelliformis (Adobe navarretia) is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by yellow flowers with distinctive spots.
Adobe navarretia is a rare (CNPS 4.2) California native annual found in the North Coast Range Interior, Sierra Nevada Foothills, Tehachapi, Great Valley, and South Coast Ranges in vernal pools and clay depressions at elevations of 10 to 1,000 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces white flowers with corolla tubes 12 to 16 millimeters long, extending well beyond the flower lobes. Growing with dark green herbage and spreading-ascending branches, it forms delicate, intricate clusters with glandular-tipped bracts. Its leaves and stems are characterized by a distinctive white hairiness in the center of the inflorescence, creating a soft, intricate appearance. The plant's compact structure and clay-loving nature make it a unique indicator of ephemeral wetland habitats in California's seasonal landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 46 sympatric species; distinguished by yellow flowers with distinctive spots
Habitat and range
Habitat: Vernal pools, clay depressions
Elevation: 10-1000 m
California counties: Placer, Sutter, Fresno, Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Kern, Tulare, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Yolo
Bloom period
Navarretia nigelliformis subsp. nigelliformis blooms Apr-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
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 nigelliformis subsp. nigelliformis native to California?
Yes. Navarretia nigelliformis subsp. nigelliformis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Navarretia nigelliformis subsp. nigelliformis bloom?
Navarretia nigelliformis subsp. nigelliformis blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Navarretia nigelliformis subsp. nigelliformis grow?
Navarretia nigelliformis subsp. nigelliformis occurs in Placer, Sutter, Fresno, Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Kern, Tulare and other counties, at elevations of 10-1000 m.
What plant family does Navarretia nigelliformis subsp. nigelliformis belong to?
Navarretia nigelliformis subsp. nigelliformis is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Navarretia.
Is Navarretia nigelliformis subsp. nigelliformis rare or endangered?
Navarretia nigelliformis subsp. nigelliformis carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · 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.