Nemophila pulchella var. gracilis
Eastwood's baby blue eyes
(c) Adam J. Searcy, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Nemophila pulchella var. gracilis (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 the central Sierra Nevada Foothills in woodland, streambanks, and slopes at elevations of 100 to 1,300 meters. Flowering from March to May, this delicate plant produces white flowers with petals slightly larger than the calyx. Growing with slender stems up to 30 centimeters tall, it spreads in delicate clusters across its woodland habitat. Its leaves are alternately arranged, featuring shallow lobes or teeth that give the plant a soft, feathery appearance. The flower's style extends slightly beyond the petals, creating a distinctive profile against the pale green foliage.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; no sympatric species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Woodland, streambanks, slopes
Elevation: 100-1300 m
Bloom period
Nemophila pulchella var. gracilis 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. gracilis native to California?
Yes. Nemophila pulchella var. gracilis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Nemophila pulchella var. gracilis bloom?
Nemophila pulchella var. gracilis blooms Mar-May.
What plant family does Nemophila pulchella var. gracilis belong to?
Nemophila pulchella var. gracilis is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Nemophila.
What habitat does Nemophila pulchella var. gracilis grow in?
Nemophila pulchella var. gracilis grows in Woodland, streambanks, slopes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.