Pectocarya sp.
Pectocarya, combseed, Combseed
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Pectocarya sp. (Pectocarya) is a native California annual in the Boraginaceae family.
How to tell it apart
vs Plagiobothrys: Pectocarya sepals stay equal and separate; Plagiobothrys sepals become unequal or partly fused in fruit.; vs Cryptantha: Pectocarya nutlets have hooked bristles on edges; Cryptantha nutlets are smooth or rough, not hooked.; vs Harpagonella: Pectocarya has 4 nutlets with equal sepals; Harpagonella has 2 nutlets with huge arching spiny sepals.; vs Johnstonella: Pectocarya has flattened nutlets with marginal hooks; Johnstonella has rounded nutlets with covering bristles.; vs Greeneocharis: Pectocarya has hooked marginal bristles; Greeneocharis has smooth or minutely rough nutlets without hooks.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pectocarya sp. native to California?
Yes. Pectocarya sp. is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Pectocarya sp. belong to?
Pectocarya sp. is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Pectocarya.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Pectocarya anisocarpa — Unequal-fruited pectocarya
- Pectocarya heterocarpa — Mixed-nut pectocarya
- Pectocarya linearis subsp. ferocula — Narrow-toothed pectocarya
- Pectocarya penicillata — Northern pectocarya
- Pectocarya peninsularis — Baja pectocarya
- Pectocarya platycarpa — Wide-toothed pectocarya
- Plagiobothrys acanthocarpus — Adobe popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys arizonicus — Arizona popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys austiniae — Austin's spiny-nut popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys bracteatus — Bracted popcornflower
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.