Navarretia prolifera subsp. lutea
Yellow bur navarretia, Yellow Bur Navarretia
Photo: parent species Navarretia prolifera · (c) Adam J. Searcy, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Navarretia prolifera subsp. lutea (Yellow bur navarretia) is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by distinctive yellow flowers.
Yellow bur navarretia is a rare (CNPS 4.3) California native annual found in northern Sierra Nevada Foothills and northern Sierra Nevada in El Dorado County, inhabiting dry, rocky flats near drainage channels at elevations of 700 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces distinctive bright yellow flowers in small clustered burs. Growing with slender branching stems 5 to 15 centimeters tall, it forms compact and intricate clusters. Its leaves are finely divided with narrow, thread-like segments that create a delicate, feathery appearance. The fruit develops as small, sticky burs that cling readily to passing animals or clothing.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 26 sympatric species; distinguished by distinctive yellow flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, rocky flats near drainage channels
Elevation: 700-2000 m
Bloom period
Navarretia prolifera subsp. lutea blooms May-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 prolifera subsp. lutea native to California?
Yes. Navarretia prolifera subsp. lutea is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Navarretia prolifera subsp. lutea bloom?
Navarretia prolifera subsp. lutea blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Navarretia prolifera subsp. lutea belong to?
Navarretia prolifera subsp. lutea is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Navarretia.
Is Navarretia prolifera subsp. lutea rare or endangered?
Navarretia prolifera subsp. lutea carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3.
What habitat does Navarretia prolifera subsp. lutea grow in?
Navarretia prolifera subsp. lutea grows in Dry, rocky flats near drainage channels.
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.