Nemophila pulchella
Eastwood's baby blue eyes
(c) Adam J. Searcy, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Nemophila pulchella (Eastwood's baby blue eyes) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by no sympatric species.
Eastwood's baby blue eyes is a California native annual found in open areas with varied habitats at elevations ranging from low to moderate mountain zones. Flowering from March to May, this delicate plant produces white or soft blue flowers with a rotate shape, typically 5 to 12 millimeters wide. Growing with slender stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it has a graceful, spreading growth habit. Its leaves are distinctive, with lower leaves having 5 well-separated rounded lobes 1 to 5 millimeters long, while upper leaves tend to be more elongated and less divided. The plant produces 1 to 4 brown or greenish seeds that are smooth or slightly textured.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; no sympatric species
Habitat and range
California counties: Tulare, Kern, El Dorado, Fresno, Los Angeles, Madera, San Luis Obispo, San Bernardino, Butte, Santa Clara, Mariposa
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 pulchella native to California?
Yes. Nemophila pulchella is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Nemophila pulchella grow?
Nemophila pulchella occurs in Tulare, Kern, El Dorado, Fresno, Los Angeles, Madera, San Luis Obispo, San Bernardino and other counties.
What plant family does Nemophila pulchella belong to?
Nemophila pulchella is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Nemophila.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.