Nemacladus matsonii
Owen's valley nemacladus, matson's nemacladus
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Campanulaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Nemacladus matsonii (Owen's valley nemacladus) is a native California annual in the Campanulaceae family, recognized by no sympatric species.
Owen's valley nemacladus is a California native annual found in the eastern Sierra Nevada and Mojave Desert on compact sands and stabilized dunes at elevations of 800 to 1,900 meters. Flowering from April to June, this delicate plant produces cream-colored flowers with a distinctive yellow throat and tiny magenta-tipped stamens. Growing with erect, slender stems 7 to 16 centimeters tall that branch from the base, it forms a delicate, zigzag-like structure. Its small leaves, 2 to 8 millimeters long, are ovate to obovate, with surfaces that vary from glabrous to sparsely hairy. The fruit is nearly spherical, measuring 2 to 3 millimeters long, with a rounded base and tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; no sympatric species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Compact sands and stabilized dunes
Elevation: 800-1900 m
Bloom period
Nemacladus matsonii blooms Apr-Jun.
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 matsonii native to California?
Yes. Nemacladus matsonii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Nemacladus matsonii bloom?
Nemacladus matsonii blooms Apr-Jun.
What plant family does Nemacladus matsonii belong to?
Nemacladus matsonii is in the Campanulaceae family, genus Nemacladus.
What habitat does Nemacladus matsonii grow in?
Nemacladus matsonii grows in Compact sands and stabilized dunes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.