Nemophila spatulata
Sierra baby blue eyes
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Nemophila spatulata (Sierra baby blue eyes) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by spoon-shaped leaves with long winged petioles.
Sierra baby blue eyes is a California native annual found in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, southern Sierra Nevada, Tehachapi, Transverse Ranges, San Jacinto Mountains, and Warner Mountains in meadows, roadsides, and mountain slopes at elevations of 1,100 to 3,200 meters. Flowering from April to July, this delicate plant produces white or blue flowers with darker veining and occasional purple spots, creating bowl-shaped blossoms 2 to 10 millimeters wide. Growing with slender stems up to 30 centimeters tall, it forms low, spreading clusters across mountain landscapes. Its opposite leaves are distinctive, with lower blades that are oblanceolate to spoon-shaped, featuring 3 to 5 shallow lobes and winged petioles longer than the leaf blade itself. The plant produces 5 to 7 smooth, brown seeds with shallow pitting, adding to its delicate alpine charm.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; diagnostic spoon-shaped leaves with long winged petioles
Habitat and range
Habitat: Meadows, roadsides, slopes
Elevation: 1100-3200 m
California counties: Fresno, Los Angeles, Mono, Kern, Tulare, Tuolumne, Mariposa, Placer, Nevada, San Bernardino, Alpine, Madera, Calaveras, Butte, Plumas, Tehama, San Diego, El Dorado, Shasta, Amador, Riverside, Lassen, Monterey, Santa Clara, Inyo
Outside California: western Nevada
Bloom period
Nemophila spatulata blooms Apr-Jul.
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 spatulata native to California?
Yes. Nemophila spatulata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Nemophila spatulata bloom?
Nemophila spatulata blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Nemophila spatulata grow?
Nemophila spatulata occurs in Fresno, Los Angeles, Mono, Kern, Tulare, Tuolumne, Mariposa, Placer and other counties, at elevations of 1100-3200 m.
What plant family does Nemophila spatulata belong to?
Nemophila spatulata is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Nemophila.
What habitat does Nemophila spatulata grow in?
Nemophila spatulata grows in Meadows, roadsides, slopes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Nemophila breviflora — Great basin nemophila
- Nemophila heterophylla — Canyon nemophila
- Nemophila maculata — Fivespot
- Nemophila menziesii — Baby blue-eyes
- Nemophila menziesii var. atomaria — Baby blue eyes
- Nemophila menziesii var. integrifolia — Baby blue eyes
- Phacelia adenophora — Glandular yellow phacelia
- Phacelia affinis — Limestone phacelia
- Phacelia amabilis — Saline valley phacelia
- Phacelia anelsonii — Aven nelson's phacelia
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.