Nemacladus richardsiae
Temescal threadplant
no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Campanulaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Nemacladus richardsiae (Temescal threadplant) is a native California annual in the Campanulaceae family, recognized by no sympatric species.
Temescal threadplant is a California native annual found in sandy flats and creosote bush scrub along alluvial fans at elevations of 300 to 500 meters. Flowering from March to June, this delicate plant produces pale pink or cream flowers with distinctive wide pink stripes and an orange-bordered pale yellow spot at the base of its lobes. Growing 5 to 15 centimeters tall with erect stems and branches primarily emerging above the base, it develops slender, lance-shaped leaves 1 to 7 millimeters long that are either glabrous or densely hairy. Its leaves are characteristically lanceolate to diamond-shaped, with shallow crenations or a few sharp teeth that narrow toward the petiole. The fruit is a small, oblong-ovoid structure approximately 3 to 3.5 millimeters long with a rounded base and blunt tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; no sympatric species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy flats on alluvial fans, creosote bush scrub, washes
Elevation: 300-500 m
Bloom period
Nemacladus richardsiae blooms Mar-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 richardsiae native to California?
Yes. Nemacladus richardsiae is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Nemacladus richardsiae bloom?
Nemacladus richardsiae blooms Mar-Jun.
What plant family does Nemacladus richardsiae belong to?
Nemacladus richardsiae is in the Campanulaceae family, genus Nemacladus.
What habitat does Nemacladus richardsiae grow in?
Nemacladus richardsiae grows in Sandy flats on alluvial fans, creosote bush scrub, washes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Nemacladus sigmoideus — Inyo threadplant
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.