Nemacladus tenuis var. aliformis
Winged desert threadplant
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda · licence
Family: Campanulaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Nemacladus tenuis var. aliformis (Winged desert threadplant) is a native California annual in the Campanulaceae family, recognized by 8 sympatric - distinctive narrow maroon upper lobes.
Winged desert threadplant is a California native annual found in the Mojave Desert (D) bioregion in dry, sandy or gravelly soils at elevations below 1,600 meters. Flowering from April to May, this delicate plant produces small flowers with distinctive maroon or brown adaxial lobes and white petals marked with yellow and brown. Growing with extremely slender stems, the threadplant reaches a diminutive size typical of desert annual species. Its small lance-linear bracts spread or curve reflexed, with flower pedicels measuring 8 to 15 millimeters long and less than 0.1 millimeters in diameter. The tiny fruit measures 2 to 2.5 millimeters in length, reflecting the plant's exceptionally fine, thread-like structure.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric - distinctive narrow maroon upper lobes
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, sandy or gravelly soils
Elevation: < 1600 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo, Riverside, San Diego, Imperial
Bloom period
Nemacladus tenuis var. aliformis 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 tenuis var. aliformis native to California?
Yes. Nemacladus tenuis var. aliformis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Nemacladus tenuis var. aliformis bloom?
Nemacladus tenuis var. aliformis blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Nemacladus tenuis var. aliformis grow?
Nemacladus tenuis var. aliformis occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, Riverside, San Diego, Imperial, at elevations of < 1600 m.
What plant family does Nemacladus tenuis var. aliformis belong to?
Nemacladus tenuis var. aliformis is in the Campanulaceae family, genus Nemacladus.
What habitat does Nemacladus tenuis var. aliformis grow in?
Nemacladus tenuis var. aliformis grows in Dry, sandy or gravelly soils.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Nemacladus breviflorus — Short-flowered threadplant
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.