Navarretia peninsularis
Baja navarretia, Baja Navarretia
(c) Sula Vanderplank, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sula Vanderplank · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Navarretia peninsularis (Baja navarretia) is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by high elevation montane habitat and lavender-white flowers.
Baja navarretia is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in the Tehachapi, Transverse, and Peninsular Ranges in wet areas within open forest at elevations of 1,400 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces lavender-white flowers 6 to 9 millimeters long with delicate needle-like petals. Growing 3 to 25 centimeters tall with ascending branches that are glandular-hairy, the plant has a distinctive form typically as wide as it is high. Its intricate leaves are 1 to 3 centimeters long, pinnately lobed with linear segments less than 1 millimeter wide, featuring needle-like lobes 3 to 5 millimeters long that are often simple or forked. Its outer bracts are leaf-like and 10 to 15 millimeters long, creating an intricate architectural structure.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 27 sympatric species; distinguished by high elevation montane habitat and lavender-white flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet areas in open forest
Elevation: 1400-2300 m
Outside California: Arizona, Baja California
Bloom period
Navarretia peninsularis blooms Jun-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.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 peninsularis native to California?
Yes. Navarretia peninsularis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Navarretia peninsularis bloom?
Navarretia peninsularis blooms Jun-Aug.
What plant family does Navarretia peninsularis belong to?
Navarretia peninsularis is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Navarretia.
Is Navarretia peninsularis rare or endangered?
Navarretia peninsularis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
What habitat does Navarretia peninsularis grow in?
Navarretia peninsularis grows in Wet areas in open forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.