Pholistoma auritum
Blue fiestaflower
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Vine · Native
Pholistoma auritum (Blue fiestaflower) is a native California vine in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by Wide-winged clasping petioles; big blue-purple corolla (to 30 mm wide).
Blue fiestaflower is a California native annual found in lower elevation areas, growing in open grasslands and woodland edges. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces vibrant blue to purple flowers with darker throat markings, creating delicate clusters 5 to 30 millimeters wide. Growing 20 to 120 centimeters tall with slender, branching stems, it displays distinctive wide-winged leaf petioles that clasp the stem. Its lower leaves are broadly oblong to lance-shaped, 4 to 16 centimeters long, with 5 to 13 distinctive lobes that are oblong or lanceolate and sometimes lightly toothed. Small fruits approximately 5 to 10 millimeters wide are nestled within the plant's calyx.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Wide-winged clasping petioles; big blue-purple corolla (to 30 mm wide)
Habitat and range
California counties: Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Kern, San Diego, Ventura, Riverside, Orange, Tulare, Santa Clara, San Luis Obispo, Fresno, Monterey, Alameda, Mariposa, Madera, San Bernardino, San Benito, Stanislaus, Merced, Calaveras, Santa Cruz, Marin, Contra Costa, Tuolumne, Butte, San Joaquin, Inyo, Mendocino
How to tell it apart
vs Phacelia: Pholistoma has bristly fruits and long stamens protruding from flowers; Phacelia has smooth capsules and included stamens.; vs Nemophila: Pholistoma fruits are covered in stiff rough bristles; Nemophila fruits are soft and velvety.; vs Eucrypta: Pholistoma has bristly fruits and long protruding stamens; Eucrypta has smooth fruits and tiny included stamens.; vs Solanum: Pholistoma has protruding stamens from tubular flowers; Solanum has stamens forming a yellow cone in star-shaped flowers.; vs Brandegea: Pholistoma has regular 5-petaled flowers; Brandegea has separate male/female flowers with tendrils.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pholistoma auritum native to California?
Yes. Pholistoma auritum is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Pholistoma auritum grow?
Pholistoma auritum occurs in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Kern, San Diego, Ventura, Riverside, Orange, Tulare and other counties.
What plant family does Pholistoma auritum belong to?
Pholistoma auritum is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Pholistoma.
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.