Nemacladus rigidus
Great basin nemacladus, rigid nemacladus
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Campanulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Nemacladus rigidus (Great basin nemacladus) is a native California herb in the Campanulaceae family, recognized by 5 sympatric - distinctive spreading habit and fleshy leaves.
Great basin nemacladus is a native annual found in the Great Basin region on bare soil and sandy habitats at elevations of 200 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from May to June, this delicate plant produces white flowers with maroon-tipped lobes, creating a subtle two-toned effect. Growing with spreading to decumbent stems 2 to 4 centimeters tall, it has a distinctive shiny purple base and branches emerging from the ground. Its leaves are small, 5 to 10 millimeters long, elliptic to oblanceolate, with a fleshy texture and slightly scalloped edges. The fruit is nearly spherical, 3 to 4 millimeters long, with an oblique base and pointed tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric - distinctive spreading habit and fleshy leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Bare soil, sand
Elevation: 200-2500 m
California counties: Mono, Inyo, Lassen, El Dorado, Riverside, Kern, Napa, San Diego, Modoc, Plumas
Outside California: eastern Oregon, Idaho, Nevada
Bloom period
Nemacladus rigidus blooms May-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 rigidus native to California?
Yes. Nemacladus rigidus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Nemacladus rigidus bloom?
Nemacladus rigidus blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Nemacladus rigidus grow?
Nemacladus rigidus occurs in Mono, Inyo, Lassen, El Dorado, Riverside, Kern, Napa, San Diego and other counties, at elevations of 200-2500 m.
What plant family does Nemacladus rigidus belong to?
Nemacladus rigidus is in the Campanulaceae family, genus Nemacladus.
What habitat does Nemacladus rigidus grow in?
Nemacladus rigidus grows in Bare soil, sand.
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.