Navarretia paradoxinota
Porter's navarretia
(c) Arvel Hernandez, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Navarretia paradoxinota (Porter's navarretia) is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by white flowers with narrow petals and translucent fruits.
Porter's navarretia is a rare California native annual ranked 1B.3 by CNPS, found in the northern Coast Range Interior region including Lake, Napa, and Colusa counties in open, seasonally wet meadows and serpentine areas at elevations of 300 to 850 meters. Flowering from May to July, this delicate plant produces white flowers with narrow ovate lobes nestled among intricately pinnate-lobed bracts that are longer than the flowers themselves. Growing 8 to 30 centimeters tall with erect, narrow stems and ascending branches covered in reflexed white hairs, it has a distinctive appearance. Its leaves are 1 to 2 times pinnate-lobed with needle-like segments that spread out at the leaf tips, creating a delicate, feathery texture. The plant's translucent fruit chambers uniquely dehisce when wetted, revealing dark brown, pitted seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 27 sympatric species; distinguished by white flowers with narrow petals and translucent fruits
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, seasonally wet areas, meadows, serpentine soils
Elevation: 300-850 m
Bloom period
Navarretia paradoxinota blooms May-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.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 paradoxinota native to California?
Yes. Navarretia paradoxinota is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Navarretia paradoxinota bloom?
Navarretia paradoxinota blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Navarretia paradoxinota belong to?
Navarretia paradoxinota is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Navarretia.
Is Navarretia paradoxinota rare or endangered?
Navarretia paradoxinota carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S2.
What habitat does Navarretia paradoxinota grow in?
Navarretia paradoxinota grows in Open, seasonally wet areas, meadows, serpentine soils.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-08
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.