Nemacladus rubescens
Desert threadplant
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Campanulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Nemacladus rubescens (Desert threadplant) is a native California herb in the Campanulaceae family, recognized by 11 sympatric - cream flowers with brown chevrons.
Desert threadplant is a California native annual found in the eastern desert slopes, Mojave Desert, and Sonoran Desert regions in dry, sandy or gravelly soils at elevations below 1,600 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces cream-colored flowers with distinctive brown-tipped lobes and a subtle brown chevron pattern. Growing with ascending stems 5 to 20 centimeters tall, featuring a silver-gray base and many branches, it forms delicate, slender structures. Its leaves are 5 to 20 millimeters long, widely ovate or elliptic, blunt and entire, with a winged petiole and yellow to yellow-green coloration. The fruit is a small 2 to 2.5 millimeter spheric or flattened structure with a rounded tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric - cream flowers with brown chevrons
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, sandy or gravelly soils
Elevation: < 1600 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Imperial, Inyo, Riverside, Kern, San Diego, Los Angeles, Plumas, Tulare
Outside California: Nevada, Arizona, Baja California
Bloom period
Nemacladus rubescens 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 rubescens native to California?
Yes. Nemacladus rubescens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Nemacladus rubescens bloom?
Nemacladus rubescens blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Nemacladus rubescens grow?
Nemacladus rubescens occurs in San Bernardino, Imperial, Inyo, Riverside, Kern, San Diego, Los Angeles, Plumas and other counties, at elevations of < 1600 m.
What plant family does Nemacladus rubescens belong to?
Nemacladus rubescens is in the Campanulaceae family, genus Nemacladus.
What habitat does Nemacladus rubescens grow in?
Nemacladus rubescens grows in Dry, sandy or gravelly soils.
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.