Nemophila parviflora
Small flowered nemophila
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Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Nemophila parviflora (Small flowered nemophila) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by no sympatric species.
Small flowered nemophila is a California native annual found in coastal and central California habitats at low to moderate elevations. Flowering from March to May, this delicate plant produces small white or pale blue flowers approximately 2 to 4 millimeters wide with a bell-shaped form. Growing with slender stems that are either smooth or softly hairy, it reaches heights of 10 to 30 centimeters with a delicate, spreading growth habit. Its lower leaves have shallow, irregular lobes that merge into the stem, while upper leaves appear in opposite or alternate arrangements. Seeds are distinctive, colored yellow to brick-red with a smooth surface marked by shallow pits.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; no sympatric species
Habitat and range
California counties: Humboldt, Sonoma, San Mateo, Kern, Ventura, Trinity, Mariposa, El Dorado, Los Angeles, Amador, Colusa, Calaveras, Tuolumne, Monterey, Napa, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Shasta, Tehama, Del Norte, Glenn, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Siskiyou, Tulare, Fresno, Alameda, Butte, San Francisco, Modoc, Santa Barbara, Plumas, Placer, San Diego, Yolo
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 parviflora native to California?
Yes. Nemophila parviflora is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Nemophila parviflora grow?
Nemophila parviflora occurs in Humboldt, Sonoma, San Mateo, Kern, Ventura, Trinity, Mariposa, El Dorado and other counties.
What plant family does Nemophila parviflora belong to?
Nemophila parviflora is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Nemophila.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Nemophila pulchella — Eastwood's baby blue eyes
- Nemophila pulchella var. fremontii — Fremont's baby blue eyes
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.