Nemacladus capillaris
Common nemacladus
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Campanulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Nemacladus capillaris (Common nemacladus) is a native California herb in the Campanulaceae family, recognized by 14 sympatric - distinctive 2-lipped flower.
Common nemacladus is a California native annual found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, Cascade Range, northern Sierra Nevada foothills, Sierra Nevada, southern Coast Ranges, Transverse Ranges, and Modoc Plateau in dry slopes, burned areas, and volcanic outcrops at elevations of 400 to 2,100 meters. Flowering from May to July, this delicate plant produces white flowers with hints of pale pink or orange at the tips of its petals, arranged on thin, zigzag stems. Growing 7 to 18 centimeters tall with stiffly ascending stems, it has small ovate leaves 3 to 15 millimeters long that narrow abruptly to short petioles. Its leaves are glabrous or slightly hairy, with an elegant, slender form that allows it to thrive in harsh, dry environments. The fruit is a narrow, obconic capsule 1.5 to 2.5 millimeters long, containing tiny seeds with intricate zigzag ridges.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric - distinctive 2-lipped flower
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry slopes, burned areas, volcanic outcrops
Elevation: 400-2100 m
California counties: Modoc, Lake, Napa, Plumas, Tuolumne, San Bernardino, Lassen, Trinity, Tehama, Mendocino, Colusa, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Fresno, Shasta, Inyo, Butte, Placer, Monterey, Humboldt, El Dorado, Tulare, San Diego, Merced, San Luis Obispo, Sierra
Outside California: Oregon
Bloom period
Nemacladus capillaris blooms May-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 capillaris native to California?
Yes. Nemacladus capillaris is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Nemacladus capillaris bloom?
Nemacladus capillaris blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Nemacladus capillaris grow?
Nemacladus capillaris occurs in Modoc, Lake, Napa, Plumas, Tuolumne, San Bernardino, Lassen, Trinity and other counties, at elevations of 400-2100 m.
What plant family does Nemacladus capillaris belong to?
Nemacladus capillaris is in the Campanulaceae family, genus Nemacladus.
What habitat does Nemacladus capillaris grow in?
Nemacladus capillaris grows in Dry slopes, burned areas, volcanic outcrops.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.