Nothochelone nemorosa
False turtlehead
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Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Nothochelone nemorosa (False turtlehead) is a native California subshrub in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by Pacific Northwest genus representing distinct lineage from eastern North American Chelone within Plantaginaceae.
False turtlehead is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges and northern California Ranges in rocky places within Douglas-fir, yellow-pine, and mixed-evergreen forests at elevations of 1,200 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces rose-purple to dark red flowers with a paler lower side, reaching 26 to 33 millimeters long. Growing with erect stems 30 to 100 centimeters tall, it develops from a caudex with hairs often pointing downward. Its opposite, cauline leaves have large blades 4 to 14 centimeters long, lanceolate to ovate, with a heart-shaped or rounded base and coarsely toothed edges. The plant bears a glandular panicle inflorescence with small bracts and includes four stamens with long basal filament hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Pacific Northwest genus representing distinct lineage from eastern North American Chelone within Plantaginaceae
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky places in open Douglas-fir, yellow-pine, and mixed-evergreen forests
Elevation: 1200-2300 m
California counties: Siskiyou, Del Norte, Humboldt, Trinity
Outside California: to British Columbia
Bloom period
Nothochelone nemorosa blooms Jun-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Penstemon: Nothochelone has woolly, fuzzy anthers; Penstemon anthers are smooth and hairless.; vs Keckiella: Nothochelone is herbaceous and dies back; Keckiella has persistent woody stems year-round.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nothochelone nemorosa native to California?
Yes. Nothochelone nemorosa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Nothochelone nemorosa bloom?
Nothochelone nemorosa blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Nothochelone nemorosa grow?
Nothochelone nemorosa occurs in Siskiyou, Del Norte, Humboldt, Trinity, at elevations of 1200-2300 m.
What plant family does Nothochelone nemorosa belong to?
Nothochelone nemorosa is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Nothochelone.
What habitat does Nothochelone nemorosa grow in?
Nothochelone nemorosa grows in Rocky places in open Douglas-fir, yellow-pine, and mixed-evergreen forests.
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.