Nemophila menziesii var. integrifolia
Baby blue eyes
Photo: parent species Nemophila menziesii · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Nemophila menziesii var. integrifolia (Baby blue eyes) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by small rotate blue flowers with less divided upper leaves.
Baby blue eyes is a California native annual found in northern Sierra Nevada, San Joaquin Valley, central Coast, southern coastal ranges, southwestern California, northeastern Sierra Nevada, and eastern desert mountains in grasslands, canyons, woodlands, and burned slopes at elevations of 100 to 1,900 meters. Flowering from January to July, this delicate plant produces distinctive blue flowers with black dots at the center, typically 6 to 15 millimeters wide. Growing with slender stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it forms loose, spreading clusters across open landscapes. Its lower leaves have 5 to 7 lobes, while upper leaves are diamond-shaped or oblanceolate, ranging from entire to slightly toothed. Seeds develop in small clusters, contributing to the plant's ability to reseed in disturbed or open habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; small rotate blue flowers with less divided upper leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassland, canyons, woodland, burns, slopes
Elevation: 100-1900 m
California counties: Los Angeles, San Bernardino, San Diego, Orange, Riverside, Ventura, Inyo, Imperial, Kern, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Lake, Monterey, Marin, Mariposa, Placer, Mendocino
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Nemophila menziesii var. integrifolia blooms Jan-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 menziesii var. integrifolia native to California?
Yes. Nemophila menziesii var. integrifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Nemophila menziesii var. integrifolia bloom?
Nemophila menziesii var. integrifolia blooms Jan-Jul.
Where in California does Nemophila menziesii var. integrifolia grow?
Nemophila menziesii var. integrifolia occurs in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, San Diego, Orange, Riverside, Ventura, Inyo, Imperial and other counties, at elevations of 100-1900 m.
What plant family does Nemophila menziesii var. integrifolia belong to?
Nemophila menziesii var. integrifolia is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Nemophila.
What habitat does Nemophila menziesii var. integrifolia grow in?
Nemophila menziesii var. integrifolia grows in Grassland, canyons, woodland, burns, slopes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Nemophila pedunculata — Littlefoot 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.