Nemacladus gracilis
Slender nemacladus
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Campanulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Nemacladus gracilis (Slender nemacladus) is a native California herb in the Campanulaceae family, recognized by 9 sympatric - deeply S-curved pedicels with inverted flowers.
Slender nemacladus is a California native annual found in southern Sierra Nevada Foothills, San Joaquin Valley, and southern Coast Ranges in Kern County on rocky slopes and sandy washes at elevations up to 1,900 meters. Flowering from March to April, this delicate plant produces white to pale lavender flowers with lavender-veined petals, small and intricately shaped. Growing with extremely slender erect stems 2.5 to 10 centimeters tall, branching from the base with fine, delicate structure. Its narrow leaves are 2.5 to 10 millimeters long, oblanceolate to oblong, irregularly toothed or slightly lobed, and somewhat hairy. The fruit is a tiny, widely obconic capsule approximately 1.5 millimeters long with a rounded tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric - deeply S-curved pedicels with inverted flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky slopes, sandy washes
Elevation: < 1900 m
California counties: Kern, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, Fresno, Monterey, San Benito, Merced, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Inyo
Bloom period
Nemacladus gracilis blooms Mar-Apr.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 gracilis native to California?
Yes. Nemacladus gracilis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Nemacladus gracilis bloom?
Nemacladus gracilis blooms Mar-Apr.
Where in California does Nemacladus gracilis grow?
Nemacladus gracilis occurs in Kern, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, Fresno, Monterey, San Benito, Merced, San Bernardino and other counties, at elevations of < 1900 m.
What plant family does Nemacladus gracilis belong to?
Nemacladus gracilis is in the Campanulaceae family, genus Nemacladus.
Is Nemacladus gracilis rare or endangered?
Nemacladus gracilis carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.