Nemacladus tenuis
Small-flowered desert threadsplant
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda · licence
Family: Campanulaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Nemacladus tenuis (Small-flowered desert threadsplant) is a native California annual in the Campanulaceae family.
Small-flowered desert threadsplant is a California native annual found in desert regions in sandy or rocky habitats at elevations from 100 to 1,000 meters. Flowering from March to May, this delicate plant produces small white to pale lavender flowers with distinctively double-curved pedicels that curve upward at the tip. Growing with multiple slender branches 9 to 20 centimeters tall, the plant emerges with silver-gray or reddish-brown stems that spread from the base. Its leaves are narrow and lance-shaped, 5 to 15 millimeters long, often toothed or pinnately lobed, with basal leaves turning yellow-green as the plant ages. The tiny fruits are nearly spherical, measuring just 1 to 2.5 millimeters long with a rounded tip.
Habitat and range
California counties: Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino
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 tenuis native to California?
Yes. Nemacladus tenuis is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Nemacladus tenuis grow?
Nemacladus tenuis occurs in Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino.
What plant family does Nemacladus tenuis belong to?
Nemacladus tenuis is in the Campanulaceae family, genus Nemacladus.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Nemacladus tenuis var. aliformis — Winged desert threadplant
- Nemacladus tenuis var. tenuis — Desert nemacladus
- Nemacladus twisselmannii — Twisselmann's nemacladus
- Nemacladus twisselmannii var. botanywomaniae — Kate's nemacladus
- Nemacladus twisselmannii var. twisselmannii — Twisselmann's nemacladus
- Nemacladus bellus — Beautiful threadplant
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-08
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.