Plagiobothrys canescens var. catalinensis
Santa catalina popcornflower, Santa Catalina Popcornflower
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Plagiobothrys canescens var. catalinensis (Santa catalina popcornflower) is a native California herb in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by red-staining variety with red midveins and margins.
Santa catalina popcornflower is a California native annual found in southern San Joaquin Valley, southern Coast Ranges, Channel Islands, and Mojave Desert in grasslands, coastal scrub, and desert scrub at elevations generally below 1,400 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces small white flowers that emerge in delicate clusters. Growing with prostrate to ascending reddish stems that reach variable heights, it has distinctive coloration with red-tinted lower stems and leaf margins. Its leaves feature prominent reddish midveins on the abaxial surface, creating an unusual reddish-tinged appearance. The plant's tiny calyx measures 3 to 5 millimeters long, with lobes that can be erect or occasionally curved over its developing fruit.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 22 sympatric species; red-staining variety with red midveins and margins
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Grassland, coastal scrub, desert scrub, roadsides
Elevation: generally < 1400 m
Bloom period
Plagiobothrys canescens var. catalinensis blooms Apr-Jun.
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 canescens var. catalinensis native to California?
Yes. Plagiobothrys canescens var. catalinensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Plagiobothrys canescens var. catalinensis bloom?
Plagiobothrys canescens var. catalinensis blooms Apr-Jun.
What plant family does Plagiobothrys canescens var. catalinensis belong to?
Plagiobothrys canescens var. catalinensis is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Plagiobothrys.
What habitat does Plagiobothrys canescens var. catalinensis grow in?
Plagiobothrys canescens var. catalinensis grows in Uncommon. Grassland, coastal scrub, desert scrub, roadsides.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Plagiobothrys chorisianus — Artist's popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys chorisianus var. chorisianus — Choris' popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys chorisianus var. hickmanii — Hickman's popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys cognatus — Cognate popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys collinus — Cooper's popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys collinus var. californicus — California popcornflower
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.