Nemophila pulchella var. fremontii
Fremont's baby blue eyes
(c) Adam J. Searcy, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Nemophila pulchella var. fremontii (Fremont's baby blue eyes) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by white flowers equal to sepals, rosette leaves.
Fremont's baby blue eyes is a California native annual found in southern Sierra Nevada, Tehachapi, San Joaquin Valley, San Francisco Bay Area, south Coast Ranges, and western Transverse Ranges on slopes and in chaparral at elevations of 400 to 1,400 meters. Flowering from March to May, this delicate plant produces white flowers with corollas matching the length of their calyxes. Growing with low-spreading stems, it forms compact clusters close to the ground. Its opposite leaves are arranged in a basal rosette, creating a soft green groundcover. The tiny seeds, numbering 2 to 4, help this charming wildflower self-propagate in its diverse California habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species; white flowers equal to sepals, rosette leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Slopes, chaparral
Elevation: 400-1400 m
California counties: Kern, Monterey, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, San Benito, Ventura, Santa Clara, Placer, El Dorado, Los Angeles, Stanislaus, Fresno, Amador
Bloom period
Nemophila pulchella var. fremontii blooms Mar-May.
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 var. fremontii native to California?
Yes. Nemophila pulchella var. fremontii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Nemophila pulchella var. fremontii bloom?
Nemophila pulchella var. fremontii blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Nemophila pulchella var. fremontii grow?
Nemophila pulchella var. fremontii occurs in Kern, Monterey, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, San Benito, Ventura, Santa Clara, Placer and other counties, at elevations of 400-1400 m.
What plant family does Nemophila pulchella var. fremontii belong to?
Nemophila pulchella var. fremontii is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Nemophila.
What habitat does Nemophila pulchella var. fremontii grow in?
Nemophila pulchella var. fremontii grows in Slopes, chaparral.
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.