Nemacladus glanduliferus
Glandular threadplant
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Campanulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Nemacladus glanduliferus (Glandular threadplant) is a native California herb in the Campanulaceae family, recognized by 11 sympatric - bell-shaped flowers with hairy lower petals.
Glandular threadplant is a California native annual found in the Peninsular Ranges, southern Sierra Nevada, and Deserts in sandy or gravelly canyon soils at elevations of 150 to 1,900 meters. Flowering from March to May, this delicate plant produces small white flowers with elliptic lobes, each blossom about 2 millimeters wide. Growing with stiffly ascending stems 5 to 25 centimeters tall that branch from the base, the plant has a distinctive zigzag growth pattern. Its leaves are 3 to 16 millimeters long, oblanceolate to elliptic, with toothed or pinnately lobed edges and a slightly hairy texture that tapers to a narrow petiole. The tiny fruit is approximately spherical, measuring 2 to 4 millimeters across with rounded base and tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric - bell-shaped flowers with hairy lower petals
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy or gravelly soils, canyons
Elevation: 150-1900 m
California counties: Imperial, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Inyo, Kern
Outside California: Nevada, Arizona, Baja California
Bloom period
Nemacladus glanduliferus blooms Mar-May.
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 glanduliferus native to California?
Yes. Nemacladus glanduliferus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Nemacladus glanduliferus bloom?
Nemacladus glanduliferus blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Nemacladus glanduliferus grow?
Nemacladus glanduliferus occurs in Imperial, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Inyo, Kern, at elevations of 150-1900 m.
What plant family does Nemacladus glanduliferus belong to?
Nemacladus glanduliferus is in the Campanulaceae family, genus Nemacladus.
What habitat does Nemacladus glanduliferus grow in?
Nemacladus glanduliferus grows in Sandy or gravelly soils, canyons.
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.