Navarretia prolifera
(c) Adam J. Searcy, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Navarretia prolifera is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family.
Navarretia prolifera is a California native annual found in lowland and foothill grasslands, growing at moderate elevations. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces delicate white flowers with pale lavender tones, forming small clusters at the tips of slender branches. Growing 6 to 16 centimeters tall with an erect habit, the plant develops multiple ascending branches that are brown and slightly glandular. Its leaves are distinctively thread-like, with basal leaves entire and cauline leaves pinnately lobed, featuring fine, glandular-hairy segments. The plant's intricate floral bracts are white-hairy at the middle with needle-pointed tips, creating a delicate and intricate appearance.
Habitat and range
California counties: El Dorado, Tulare, Amador, Trinity
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 prolifera native to California?
Yes. Navarretia prolifera is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Navarretia prolifera grow?
Navarretia prolifera occurs in El Dorado, Tulare, Amador, Trinity.
What plant family does Navarretia prolifera belong to?
Navarretia prolifera is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Navarretia.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.