Nemacladus secundiflorus
Secund nemacladus
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Family: Campanulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Nemacladus secundiflorus (Secund nemacladus) is a native California herb in the Campanulaceae family, recognized by Small erect annual w/ distinctly 1-sided (secund) inflorescence on a straight axis & long pedicels 8–16 mm — s Sierra, S Coast Ranges, W….
Secund nemacladus is a California native annual found in rocky or open habitats at elevations ranging from 500 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from June to August, this delicate plant produces small white to pale lavender flowers with bilateral petals arranged in one-sided clusters. Growing 2.5 to 12 centimeters tall with erect, spreading stems that have a distinctive dull red-brown base, the plant forms a slender, branched structure. Its narrow leaves are 2 to 6 millimeters long, irregularly lobed and oblanceolate, with a hairy texture that narrows to a wide petiole. The fruit is a small ellipsoid capsule 1.5 to 3 millimeters long, containing tiny seeds with distinctive zigzag ridges.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Small erect annual w/ distinctly 1-sided (secund) inflorescence on a straight axis & long pedicels 8–16 mm — s Sierra, S Coast Ranges, W Transverse
Habitat and range
California counties: Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, San Bernardino, Tulare, San Benito, Kern, Santa Barbara, Monterey, Ventura, Tuolumne, Riverside
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 secundiflorus native to California?
Yes. Nemacladus secundiflorus is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Nemacladus secundiflorus grow?
Nemacladus secundiflorus occurs in Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, San Bernardino, Tulare, San Benito, Kern, Santa Barbara, Monterey and other counties.
What plant family does Nemacladus secundiflorus belong to?
Nemacladus secundiflorus is in the Campanulaceae family, genus Nemacladus.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Nemacladus secundiflorus var. robbinsii — Robbins' nemacladus
- Nemacladus secundiflorus var. secundiflorus — Large-flowered nemacladus
- Nemacladus sigmoideus — Inyo threadplant
- Nemacladus sp. — Threadplant
- Nemacladus tenuis — Small-flowered desert threadsplant
- Nemacladus tenuis var. aliformis — Winged desert threadplant
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.