Navarretia propinqua
(c) Millie Basden, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Millie Basden · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Navarretia propinqua is a native California annual in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by low mounding habit and small white flowers.
Navarretia propinqua is a California native annual found in northern California, the Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, Peninsular Ranges, and Modoc Plateau in open, seasonally wet areas, meadows, and vernal pools at elevations of 800 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from June to August, this delicate plant produces white to light blue flowers in compact, mounding clusters with needle-like bracts extending beyond the blooms. Growing with spreading branches 3 to 10 centimeters tall and generally wider than high, it forms dense white-hairy clusters that spread across wet ground. Its leaves are intricately divided into fine, needle-like lobes that spread outward, creating a delicate, lacy appearance with branches covered in reflexed white hairs. The fruit develops in translucent chambers that open when moistened, revealing dark brown, pitted seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 36 sympatric species; distinguished by low mounding habit and small white flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, seasonally wet areas, meadows, disturbed sites, vernal pools
Elevation: 800-2500 m
California counties: Lassen, San Diego, Modoc, Placer, Yuba, Butte, Plumas, Sierra, Mono
Outside California: to British Columbia, Idaho, Utah
Bloom period
Navarretia propinqua blooms Jun-Aug.
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 propinqua native to California?
Yes. Navarretia propinqua is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Navarretia propinqua bloom?
Navarretia propinqua blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Navarretia propinqua grow?
Navarretia propinqua occurs in Lassen, San Diego, Modoc, Placer, Yuba, Butte, Plumas, Sierra and other counties, at elevations of 800-2500 m.
What plant family does Navarretia propinqua belong to?
Navarretia propinqua is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Navarretia.
What habitat does Navarretia propinqua grow in?
Navarretia propinqua grows in Open, seasonally wet areas, meadows, disturbed sites, vernal pools.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.