Navarretia prolifera subsp. prolifera
Photo: parent species Navarretia prolifera · (c) Adam J. Searcy, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Navarretia prolifera subsp. prolifera is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by two-toned yellow and blue/purple flowers.
Navarretia prolifera subsp. prolifera is a California native annual found in the northern Sierra Nevada Foothills and northern Sierra Nevada in dry, rocky flats near drainage channels at elevations of 600 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from May to June, this delicate plant produces flowers with yellow corolla tubes and blue to purple lobes. Growing with slender stems typically clustered in small groups, it forms compact branching clusters. Its leaves are finely dissected, creating a feathery appearance characteristic of the navarretia genus. The plant's intricate flower structure and distinctive blue-purple lobes make it a notable species in rocky habitat margins.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 26 sympatric species; distinguished by two-toned yellow and blue/purple flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, rocky flats near drainage channels
Elevation: 600-1500 m
Bloom period
Navarretia prolifera subsp. prolifera blooms May-Jun.
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. prolifera native to California?
Yes. Navarretia prolifera subsp. prolifera is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Navarretia prolifera subsp. prolifera bloom?
Navarretia prolifera subsp. prolifera blooms May-Jun.
What plant family does Navarretia prolifera subsp. prolifera belong to?
Navarretia prolifera subsp. prolifera is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Navarretia.
What habitat does Navarretia prolifera subsp. prolifera grow in?
Navarretia prolifera subsp. prolifera grows in Dry, rocky flats near drainage channels.
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.