Nemophila menziesii var. atomaria
Baby blue eyes
Photo: parent species Nemophila menziesii · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Nemophila menziesii var. atomaria (Baby blue eyes) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by white flowers with black dots diagnostic.
Baby blue eyes is a California native annual found in northwestern California, central coastal California, and San Francisco Bay Area regions in coastal bluffs and grassy slopes at elevations of 15 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from February to June, this delicate plant produces white flowers with distinctive black dots and subtle blue tints, creating blossoms 10 to 30 millimeters wide. Growing with slender stems to approximately 30 centimeters tall, it forms delicate, spreading patches across its habitat. Its leaves are deeply divided, featuring 5 to 13 distinct lobes that create an intricate, lacy appearance. Each flower emerges with a small 6 to 12 millimeter corolla, creating a charming, soft display across grassy landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; white flowers with black dots diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal bluffs, grassy slopes
Elevation: 15-1500 m
California counties: Mendocino, Marin, Humboldt, Sonoma, Trinity, San Mateo, Del Norte, Solano, Santa Clara, Napa, Monterey, Alameda, Lake, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Placer, Santa Cruz
Outside California: Oregon
Bloom period
Nemophila menziesii var. atomaria blooms Feb-Jun.
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 menziesii var. atomaria native to California?
Yes. Nemophila menziesii var. atomaria is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Nemophila menziesii var. atomaria bloom?
Nemophila menziesii var. atomaria blooms Feb-Jun.
Where in California does Nemophila menziesii var. atomaria grow?
Nemophila menziesii var. atomaria occurs in Mendocino, Marin, Humboldt, Sonoma, Trinity, San Mateo, Del Norte, Solano and other counties, at elevations of 15-1500 m.
What plant family does Nemophila menziesii var. atomaria belong to?
Nemophila menziesii var. atomaria is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Nemophila.
What habitat does Nemophila menziesii var. atomaria grow in?
Nemophila menziesii var. atomaria grows in Coastal bluffs, grassy slopes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Nemophila parviflora var. parviflora — Small flowered nemophila
- Nemophila parviflora var. quercifolia — Oak-leaved 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.