Nemophila pulchella var. pulchella
Eastwood's baby blue eyes
(c) Adam J. Searcy, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Nemophila pulchella var. pulchella (Eastwood's baby blue eyes) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by blue flowers much larger than sepals, exserted style.
Eastwood's baby blue eyes is a California native annual found in southern Sierra Nevada, central Sierra Nevada Forest, San Joaquin Valley, southern Coast Ranges, and San Gabriel Mountains in slopes, forests, chaparral, woodlands, meadows, and streambank habitats at elevations of 100 to 2,100 meters. Flowering from April to June, this delicate plant produces blue flowers with bright white centers, creating a striking visual contrast. Growing with slender stems up to 30 centimeters tall, it forms compact and graceful clusters. Its opposite leaves, occasionally becoming alternate near the stem's top, are finely divided with soft, delicate edges. When mature, the plant produces small seeds typically numbering two to four.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; blue flowers much larger than sepals, exserted style
Habitat and range
Habitat: Slopes, forest, chaparral, woodland, meadows, streambanks
Elevation: 100-2100 m
California counties: Fresno, Tulare, Madera, Los Angeles, Amador, Kern, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Monterey, Placer
Bloom period
Nemophila pulchella var. pulchella blooms Apr-Jun.
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. pulchella native to California?
Yes. Nemophila pulchella var. pulchella is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Nemophila pulchella var. pulchella bloom?
Nemophila pulchella var. pulchella blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Nemophila pulchella var. pulchella grow?
Nemophila pulchella var. pulchella occurs in Fresno, Tulare, Madera, Los Angeles, Amador, Kern, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and other counties, at elevations of 100-2100 m.
What plant family does Nemophila pulchella var. pulchella belong to?
Nemophila pulchella var. pulchella is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Nemophila.
What habitat does Nemophila pulchella var. pulchella grow in?
Nemophila pulchella var. pulchella grows in Slopes, forest, chaparral, woodland, meadows, streambanks.
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.