Navarretia ojaiensis
Ojai navarretia, Ojai Navarretia
(c) George Williams, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Navarretia ojaiensis (Ojai navarretia) is a native California annual in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by white flowers with purple spots at petal bases.
Ojai navarretia is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in the Western Transverse Ranges in clay soils at elevations of 300 to 1,000 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces white flowers with distinctive purple spots at the lobe bases, 6 to 11 millimeters long with delicate, narrow petals. Growing 4 to 33 centimeters tall with spreading to ascending branches, it develops multiple primary axes with glandular-hairy stems. Its leaves are intricately 2-pinnate-lobed with linear lobes, some with enlarged-lanceolate tips that are many-toothed and glandular-hairy. The plant's delicate white and purple flowers emerge from bracts with inner bracts that clasp at the base and narrow to toothed tips.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; distinguished by white flowers with purple spots at petal bases
Habitat and range
Habitat: Clay soils
Elevation: 300-1000 m
California counties: Los Angeles, Ventura
Bloom period
Navarretia ojaiensis blooms May-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 ojaiensis native to California?
Yes. Navarretia ojaiensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Navarretia ojaiensis bloom?
Navarretia ojaiensis blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Navarretia ojaiensis grow?
Navarretia ojaiensis occurs in Los Angeles, Ventura, at elevations of 300-1000 m.
What plant family does Navarretia ojaiensis belong to?
Navarretia ojaiensis is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Navarretia.
Is Navarretia ojaiensis rare or endangered?
Navarretia ojaiensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S2.
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 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.