Nemacladus calcaratus
Chimney creek nemacladus, Chimney Creek Nemacladus
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Campanulaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Nemacladus calcaratus (Chimney creek nemacladus) is a native California annual in the Campanulaceae family, recognized by 10 sympatric - unique spurred corolla.
Chimney creek nemacladus is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in southern Sierra Nevada Mountains (Chimney Creek) on decomposed granite flats at elevations of 1,900 to 2,100 meters. Flowering in June, this delicate plant produces white flowers with pink or red midveins, small and intricately shaped with two lower petals forming a distinctive spur. Growing with erect stems 2 to 4 centimeters tall, branching from the base and featuring a dull red-brown stem base. Its leaves are narrow and 2 to 5 millimeters long, lance-shaped to spoon-like, with remote teeth and fine hairs. The fruit is a small hemispheric structure approximately 3 millimeters wide, containing a single seed with delicate vertical and transverse surface lines.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric - unique spurred corolla
Habitat and range
Habitat: Decomposed granite flats
Elevation: 1900-2100 m
Bloom period
Nemacladus calcaratus blooms Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 calcaratus native to California?
Yes. Nemacladus calcaratus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Nemacladus calcaratus bloom?
Nemacladus calcaratus blooms Jun.
What plant family does Nemacladus calcaratus belong to?
Nemacladus calcaratus is in the Campanulaceae family, genus Nemacladus.
Is Nemacladus calcaratus rare or endangered?
Nemacladus calcaratus carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1.
What habitat does Nemacladus calcaratus grow in?
Nemacladus calcaratus grows in Decomposed granite flats.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.