Nemacladus twisselmannii var. botanywomaniae
Kate's nemacladus
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Campanulaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Nemacladus twisselmannii var. botanywomaniae (Kate's nemacladus) is a native California annual in the Campanulaceae family, recognized by flower orientation and sepal shape.
Kate's nemacladus is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in desert washes at elevations up to 1,200 meters. Flowering in June, this delicate plant produces small flowers with asymmetrical white to pale lavender petals, deeply divided into five distinctive lobes. Growing with slender stems that have a sparsely hairy base, the plant reaches a delicate, fine-textured form. Its leaves are oblong and acute, with margins that are either entirely smooth or occasionally bearing two tiny teeth. The plant's unique flower structure features two widely diverged lower petals and three erect upper petals, creating an intricate botanical design.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; key features are flower orientation and sepal shape
Habitat and range
Habitat: Desert washes
Elevation: <= 1200 m
Bloom period
Nemacladus twisselmannii var. botanywomaniae blooms Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 twisselmannii var. botanywomaniae native to California?
Yes. Nemacladus twisselmannii var. botanywomaniae is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Nemacladus twisselmannii var. botanywomaniae bloom?
Nemacladus twisselmannii var. botanywomaniae blooms Jun.
What plant family does Nemacladus twisselmannii var. botanywomaniae belong to?
Nemacladus twisselmannii var. botanywomaniae is in the Campanulaceae family, genus Nemacladus.
Is Nemacladus twisselmannii var. botanywomaniae rare or endangered?
Nemacladus twisselmannii var. botanywomaniae carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Nemacladus twisselmannii var. botanywomaniae grow in?
Nemacladus twisselmannii var. botanywomaniae grows in Desert washes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Nemacladus twisselmannii var. twisselmannii — Twisselmann's nemacladus
- Nemacladus bellus — Beautiful threadplant
- Nemacladus breviflorus — Short-flowered threadplant
- Nemacladus calcaratus — Chimney creek nemacladus
- Nemacladus californicus — Parishella
- Nemacladus capillaris — Common nemacladus
- Porterella carnosula — Fleshy porterella
- Porterella sp.
- Ravenella angustiflora — Eastwood's bellflower
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.