Nemacladus interior
Sierra nevada nemacladus
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Family: Campanulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Nemacladus interior (Sierra nevada nemacladus) is a native California herb in the Campanulaceae family, recognized by 12 sympatric - distinctive yellow spots with maroon arches.
Sierra nevada nemacladus is a California native annual found in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Sierra Nevada Foothills, Tehachapi, San Joaquin Valley, and Transverse Ranges on dry, gravelly slopes and in yellow-pine forest at elevations of 150 to 2,700 meters. Flowering from May to July, this delicate plant produces white flowers with distinctive yellow spots and maroon arches, creating a complex floral structure. Growing 7 to 25 centimeters tall with stiffly ascending stems, it develops erect branches typically emerging 3 to 6 centimeters above the base. Its leaves are 10 to 20 millimeters long, oblanceolate to elliptic, with irregular serrated edges and a glabrous surface. The fruit is a narrow obconic structure 2 to 2.5 millimeters long with acute base and tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 12 sympatric - distinctive yellow spots with maroon arches
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, gravelly slopes, yellow-pine forest
Elevation: 150-2700 m
California counties: Fresno, Tuolumne, Plumas, Stanislaus, San Bernardino, Butte, Tulare, Amador, Mariposa, Merced, Madera, Calaveras, Kern, San Luis Obispo, El Dorado, Lake, Los Angeles, Placer, Lassen
Bloom period
Nemacladus interior 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 interior native to California?
Yes. Nemacladus interior is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Nemacladus interior bloom?
Nemacladus interior blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Nemacladus interior grow?
Nemacladus interior occurs in Fresno, Tuolumne, Plumas, Stanislaus, San Bernardino, Butte, Tulare, Amador and other counties, at elevations of 150-2700 m.
What plant family does Nemacladus interior belong to?
Nemacladus interior is in the Campanulaceae family, genus Nemacladus.
What habitat does Nemacladus interior grow in?
Nemacladus interior grows in Dry, gravelly slopes, yellow-pine forest.
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.