Plagiobothrys austiniae
Austin's spiny-nut popcornflower
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Plagiobothrys austiniae (Austin's spiny-nut popcornflower) is a native California herb in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by largest nutlets (2-3mm) with acuminate tips.
Austin's spiny-nut popcornflower is a California native annual found in the northern Sierra Nevada Foothills, eastern Sacramento Valley, and northeastern San Joaquin Valley in vernal pools and wet clay areas at elevations below 500 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces small white flowers with yellow appendages less than 2.5 millimeters in diameter. Growing with decumbent to erect stems 10 to 40 centimeters tall, the plant is strigose and has cauline leaves 1 to 5 centimeters long. Its lower leaves are small and slender, positioned along the stem in a sparse arrangement. The distinctive fruit features ovate nutlets 2 to 3 millimeters long with prominent lateral ridges and occasional stout, barb-tipped prickles that give the plant its spiny character.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 22 sympatric species; largest nutlets (2-3mm) with acuminate tips
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common in north. Vernal pools, wet areas in thin rocky, clay soils
Elevation: < 500 m
California counties: Sacramento, Butte, Calaveras, Stanislaus, Tehama, Merced, San Joaquin, Shasta, Colusa, San Benito, Tuolumne, Amador, Placer, Fresno
Outside California: southwestern Oregon
Bloom period
Plagiobothrys austiniae blooms Mar-May.
How to tell it apart
vs Cryptantha: Seeds have a raised ridge down the inner face, not a groove like Cryptantha.; vs Pectocarya: Seeds lack the comb-like marginal barbs of Pectocarya; attachment scar is raised.; vs Myosotis: Flowers are smaller and more tubular; Myosotis has wider, flatter blue flowers with yellow centers.; vs Nemophila: Nemophila has much larger, showier blue-white flowers and broader leaves.; vs Leptosiphon: Leptosiphon has needle-like divided leaves; Plagiobothrys has simple narrow leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Plagiobothrys austiniae native to California?
Yes. Plagiobothrys austiniae is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Plagiobothrys austiniae bloom?
Plagiobothrys austiniae blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Plagiobothrys austiniae grow?
Plagiobothrys austiniae occurs in Sacramento, Butte, Calaveras, Stanislaus, Tehama, Merced, San Joaquin, Shasta and other counties, at elevations of < 500 m.
What plant family does Plagiobothrys austiniae belong to?
Plagiobothrys austiniae is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Plagiobothrys.
What habitat does Plagiobothrys austiniae grow in?
Plagiobothrys austiniae grows in Common in north. Vernal pools, wet areas in thin rocky, clay soils.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Plagiobothrys bracteatus — Bracted popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys canescens — Grey popcorn flower
- Plagiobothrys canescens var. canescens — Valley popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys canescens var. catalinensis — Santa catalina popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys chorisianus — Artist's popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys chorisianus var. chorisianus — Choris' popcornflower
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.