Oreocarya abortiva
Bow-nut oreocarya
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Oreocarya abortiva (Bow-nut oreocarya) is a native California perennial in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by unique bowed nutlet profile diagnostic.
Bow-nut oreocarya is a native perennial found in the Transverse Ranges, southern Sierra Nevada, and eastern desert mountains in gravelly soils at elevations of 1,980 to 3,560 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces off-white to tan flowers with yellow appendages in small clusters. Growing with prostrate to decumbent stems 3 to 20 centimeters tall, it forms a woody, branched caudex with multiple leafy branches emerging from the base. Its leaves are linear to linear-oblanceolate, with bristly undersides and strigose upper surfaces, forming sparse basal rosettes. The plant produces 4 shiny gray nutlets that are distinctively bowed when viewed from the side, each about 2 millimeters long with sharp-angled margins.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; unique bowed nutlet profile diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Locally common. Gravelly soils
Elevation: 1980-3560 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo, Mono, Los Angeles
Outside California: southern Nevada
Bloom period
Oreocarya abortiva blooms May-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Cryptantha: Cryptanthas are slender annuals with tiny inconspicuous white flowers; Oreocarya are stout perennials from a woody branched caudex with showier, densely clustered white or yellow flowers.; vs Hackelia: Stickseed nutlets bear hooked marginal prickles that cling to clothing; Oreocarya nutlets are smooth to roughened but lack hooked prickles.; vs Plagiobothrys: Popcornflowers are annuals of moist ground, often red-staining, in open coils; Oreocarya are harsh, bristly perennials forming cushions on dry rocky or desert sites.; vs Cynoglossum: Hound's-tongue is a tall, leafy-stemmed biennial with broad soft leaves and reddish-blue flowers; Oreocarya is low and cushion-like with narrow bristly leaves and white or yellow flowers.; vs Cryptantha: Beyond size, Oreocarya has persistent basal rosettes and a woody caudex, whereas Cryptantha germinates fresh each year with no woody base.
Frequently asked questions
Is Oreocarya abortiva native to California?
Yes. Oreocarya abortiva is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Oreocarya abortiva bloom?
Oreocarya abortiva blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Oreocarya abortiva grow?
Oreocarya abortiva occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, Mono, Los Angeles, at elevations of 1980-3560 m.
What plant family does Oreocarya abortiva belong to?
Oreocarya abortiva is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Oreocarya.
What habitat does Oreocarya abortiva grow in?
Oreocarya abortiva grows in Locally common. Gravelly soils.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.