Nemophila maculata
Fivespot
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Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Nemophila maculata (Fivespot) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by five purple spots on white petals.
Fivespot is a California native annual found in the Sierra Nevada and Sacramento Valley in meadows, roadbanks, and woodland at elevations of 60 to 3,100 meters. Flowering from March to July, this delicate plant produces white flowers with distinctive dark veins and purple-spotted tips, creating a striking bowl-shaped bloom 10 to 50 millimeters wide. Growing with slender stems up to 30 centimeters tall, it spreads in delicate clusters across its habitat. Its opposite leaves range from oblong to ovate in the lower stem, with 5 to 9 lobes that are entire or occasionally toothed, while upper leaves become oblanceolate and sessile. The seeds are green-brown, developing in clusters of 2 to 12 after flowering.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; diagnostic five purple spots on white petals
Habitat and range
Habitat: Meadows, roadbanks, woodland
Elevation: 60-3100 m
California counties: Tuolumne, Fresno, Los Angeles, Placer, Calaveras, Nevada, El Dorado, Kern, Tulare, Madera, Mariposa, San Bernardino, Amador, Butte, Yuba, Sierra, Sacramento, Contra Costa, Plumas, Alameda, Marin, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara
Bloom period
Nemophila maculata blooms Mar-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Phacelia: Nemophila has symmetrical bowl-shaped flowers; Phacelia has flowers in one-sided coiled clusters.; vs Pholistoma: Nemophila fruits feel soft and velvety; Pholistoma fruits are covered in stiff, rough bristles.; vs Veronica: Nemophila has 5-petaled flowers and soft fruits; Veronica has 4-petaled flowers and flat heart-shaped capsules.; vs Linum: Nemophila has lobed leaves and 5 stamens; Linum has narrow entire leaves and typically 5 stamens alternate with teeth.; vs Eucrypta: Nemophila has showy flowers 5mm+ wide; Eucrypta has tiny flowers under 4mm in dense branched clusters.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nemophila maculata native to California?
Yes. Nemophila maculata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Nemophila maculata bloom?
Nemophila maculata blooms Mar-Jul.
Where in California does Nemophila maculata grow?
Nemophila maculata occurs in Tuolumne, Fresno, Los Angeles, Placer, Calaveras, Nevada, El Dorado, Kern and other counties, at elevations of 60-3100 m.
What plant family does Nemophila maculata belong to?
Nemophila maculata is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Nemophila.
What habitat does Nemophila maculata grow in?
Nemophila maculata grows in Meadows, roadbanks, woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Nemophila menziesii — Baby blue-eyes
- Nemophila menziesii var. atomaria — Baby blue eyes
- Nemophila menziesii var. integrifolia — Baby blue eyes
- Nemophila menziesii var. menziesii — Baby blue eyes
- Nemophila parviflora — Small flowered nemophila
- Nemophila parviflora var. austiniae — Rebecca austin's nemophila
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.