Nemacladus ramosissimus
Nuttall's threadplant
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Family: Campanulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Nemacladus ramosissimus (Nuttall's threadplant) is a native California herb in the Campanulaceae family, recognized by 11 sympatric - large size with basal branching only.
Nuttall's threadplant is a California native annual found in southern California regions including the South Coast Ranges, South Coast, Western Transverse Ranges, San Gabriel Mountains, and Peninsular Ranges in dry, sandy or gravelly soils and chaparral at elevations of 30 to 1,600 meters. Flowering from April to May, this delicate plant produces white, pale pink, or pale blue flowers with dark midveined lobes, typically around 1.4 to 2.8 millimeters long. Growing with erect and branched stems 5 to 32 centimeters tall, the plant emerges from the base with ascending stems. Its leaves are 3 to 18 millimeters long, oblanceolate with irregular teeth or partial pinnate lobes, and have hairy margins and base. The fruit is a small, widely obconic structure approximately 1.5 to 2.5 millimeters long with a rounded tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric - large size with basal branching only
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, sandy or gravelly soils, burned areas, chaparral
Elevation: 30-1600 m
California counties: San Diego, Riverside, Orange, Los Angeles, Monterey, San Bernardino, Inyo, Santa Barbara, Kern, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Stanislaus, Santa Clara, Mariposa, Fresno, Mono
Bloom period
Nemacladus ramosissimus blooms Apr-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 ramosissimus native to California?
Yes. Nemacladus ramosissimus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Nemacladus ramosissimus bloom?
Nemacladus ramosissimus blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Nemacladus ramosissimus grow?
Nemacladus ramosissimus occurs in San Diego, Riverside, Orange, Los Angeles, Monterey, San Bernardino, Inyo, Santa Barbara and other counties, at elevations of 30-1600 m.
What plant family does Nemacladus ramosissimus belong to?
Nemacladus ramosissimus is in the Campanulaceae family, genus Nemacladus.
What habitat does Nemacladus ramosissimus grow in?
Nemacladus ramosissimus grows in Dry, sandy or gravelly soils, burned areas, chaparral.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Nemacladus richardsiae — Temescal threadplant
- Nemacladus rigidus — Great basin nemacladus
- Nemacladus rubescens — Desert threadplant
- Nemacladus secundiflorus — Secund nemacladus
- Nemacladus secundiflorus var. robbinsii — Robbins' nemacladus
- Nemacladus secundiflorus var. secundiflorus — Large-flowered nemacladus
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.