Navarretia vividior
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Navarretia vividior is a native California annual in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by longer hairy bracts and exserted purple flowers.
Spreading navarretia is a California native annual herb found in northwestern California, the Cascade Range, Sacramento Valley, Sierra Nevada, and Modoc Plateau in clay or volcanic soils at elevations of 60 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces purple flowers with delicate corolla lobes 5 to 7 millimeters long. Growing with branching stems that spread outward, it forms intricate clusters across its habitat. Its distinctive inflorescence features bract lobes that are glandular and puberulent, with the longest bracts extending 7 to 20 millimeters.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 44 sympatric species; distinguished by longer hairy bracts and exserted purple flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Clay or volcanic soil
Elevation: 60-2000 m
Outside California: Oregon
Bloom period
Navarretia vividior 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 vividior native to California?
Yes. Navarretia vividior is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Navarretia vividior bloom?
Navarretia vividior blooms Jun-Aug.
What plant family does Navarretia vividior belong to?
Navarretia vividior is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Navarretia.
What habitat does Navarretia vividior grow in?
Navarretia vividior grows in Clay or volcanic soil.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.