Pholistoma auritum var. auritum
Fiesta flower, Fiesta Flower
Photo: parent species Pholistoma auritum · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Vine · Native
Pholistoma auritum var. auritum (Fiesta flower) is a native California vine in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by flower size and color most diagnostic.
Fiesta flower is a California native annual found in the North Coast Ranges, central Sierra Nevada Foothills, southern Sierra Nevada, Tehachapi Mountains, San Joaquin Valley, Central Western California, and Southwestern California regions in diverse habitats including ocean bluffs, talus slopes, woodlands, streambanks, and canyons at elevations up to 1,900 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces white to lavender flowers in delicate clusters approximately 10 to 30 millimeters wide. Growing with slender stems up to 30 centimeters tall, it forms a compact, spreading habit. Its leaves are distinctively lobed, with 7 to 13 rounded or pointed leaflets that create an intricate, lacy appearance. The flower's delicate corolla, measuring 7 to 15 millimeters long, typically extends beyond the plant's calyx, creating a charming and intricate display.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; flower size and color most diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Ocean bluffs, talus slopes, woodland, streambanks, canyons
Elevation: < 1900 m
California counties: Fresno, San Diego, Kern, Ventura, Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange, Merced, Santa Barbara, Tulare, San Bernardino, Santa Clara, San Luis Obispo, San Benito, Monterey, Alameda, Contra Costa, Inyo, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, San Mateo, Stanislaus, Tuolumne, Madera, Mariposa, San Francisco, El Dorado, Santa Cruz
Bloom period
Pholistoma auritum var. auritum blooms Mar-Jun.
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 var. auritum native to California?
Yes. Pholistoma auritum var. auritum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Pholistoma auritum var. auritum bloom?
Pholistoma auritum var. auritum blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Pholistoma auritum var. auritum grow?
Pholistoma auritum var. auritum occurs in Fresno, San Diego, Kern, Ventura, Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange, Merced and other counties, at elevations of < 1900 m.
What plant family does Pholistoma auritum var. auritum belong to?
Pholistoma auritum var. auritum is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Pholistoma.
What habitat does Pholistoma auritum var. auritum grow in?
Pholistoma auritum var. auritum grows in Ocean bluffs, talus slopes, woodland, streambanks, canyons.
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.