Nemacladus breviflorus
Short-flowered threadplant
(c) Cricket Raspet, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Campanulaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Nemacladus breviflorus (Short-flowered threadplant) is a native California annual in the Campanulaceae family, recognized by 15 sympatric - short corolla tube diagnostic.
Short-flowered threadplant is a California native annual found in southern Sierra Nevada, San Gabriel Mountains, San Bernardino Mountains, Peninsular Ranges, and southwestern desert mountains in sandy or gravelly slopes and woodlands at elevations of 300 to 1,400 meters. Flowering from March to July, this plant produces delicate white flowers with deep pink veins and yellow throat markings, developing on slender, deeply S-curved pedicels. Growing tiny and compact, with erect stems just 1 to 7 centimeters tall, it has densely hairy branches emerging primarily from its base. Its small leaves, measuring 1.5 to 4 millimeters long, are oblanceolate to ovate and generally densely covered in fine hairs. The fruit is a small urn-shaped capsule approximately 2 to 3 millimeters long, containing tiny round seeds with distinctive rows of large pits.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 15 sympatric - short corolla tube diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy or gravelly slopes, washes, juniper woodlands, Joshua tree woodlands, gray pine-oak woodlands
Elevation: 300-1400 m
California counties: Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino, Ventura, Tulare
Outside California: Arizona, Utah, Baja California
Bloom period
Nemacladus breviflorus blooms Mar-Jun(Jul).
How to tell it apart
vs Hesperolinon: Hesperolinon has 5 separate styles and round petals; Nemacladus has fused stamens and irregular flowers.; vs Legenere: Legenere has white flowers in wet areas; Nemacladus has colored flowers in dry desert habitats.; vs Porterella: Porterella grows in wet areas; Nemacladus is a desert specialist of dry sandy soils.; vs Lobelia: Lobelia grows in wet areas with ridged lower lips; Nemacladus thrives in dry deserts.; vs Downingia: Downingia grows in vernal pools; Nemacladus grows in dry desert sands and gravels.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nemacladus breviflorus native to California?
Yes. Nemacladus breviflorus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Nemacladus breviflorus bloom?
Nemacladus breviflorus blooms Mar-Jun(Jul).
Where in California does Nemacladus breviflorus grow?
Nemacladus breviflorus occurs in Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino, Ventura, Tulare, at elevations of 300-1400 m.
What plant family does Nemacladus breviflorus belong to?
Nemacladus breviflorus is in the Campanulaceae family, genus Nemacladus.
What habitat does Nemacladus breviflorus grow in?
Nemacladus breviflorus grows in Sandy or gravelly slopes, washes, juniper woodlands, Joshua tree woodlands, gray pine-oak woodlands.
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.