Plagiobothrys chorisianus var. hickmanii
Hickman's popcornflower
(c) Dean Wm. Taylor, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Plagiobothrys chorisianus var. hickmanii (Hickman's popcornflower) is a native California herb in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by prostrate habit, smaller flowers, unfused leaves vs var. chorisianus.
Hickman's popcornflower is a California native annual ranked 4.2 by CNPS, found in central Coast, southwestern San Francisco Bay, and northern South Coast Ranges in moist places, vernal pools, and sandy deposits over clay pans at elevations below 200 meters. Flowering from April to July, this delicate plant produces small white flowers with a corolla limb 5 to 7 millimeters in diameter. Growing with prostrate stems that branch from lower axils, it spreads low across the ground in a distinctive spreading pattern. Its leaves feature a lower pair that are generally free at the base, not closely sheathing the stem. The plant creates intricate, low-growing networks in seasonal wet areas, with its slender stems and tiny white flowers blending subtly into the landscape.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 27 sympatric species; prostrate habit, smaller flowers, unfused leaves vs var. chorisianus
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist places, vernal pools, sandy deposits over clay pans
Elevation: < 200 m
California counties: Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito, San Mateo, Santa Clara, San Luis Obispo
Bloom period
Plagiobothrys chorisianus var. hickmanii blooms Apr-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
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 chorisianus var. hickmanii native to California?
Yes. Plagiobothrys chorisianus var. hickmanii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Plagiobothrys chorisianus var. hickmanii bloom?
Plagiobothrys chorisianus var. hickmanii blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Plagiobothrys chorisianus var. hickmanii grow?
Plagiobothrys chorisianus var. hickmanii occurs in Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito, San Mateo, Santa Clara, San Luis Obispo, at elevations of < 200 m.
What plant family does Plagiobothrys chorisianus var. hickmanii belong to?
Plagiobothrys chorisianus var. hickmanii is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Plagiobothrys.
Is Plagiobothrys chorisianus var. hickmanii rare or endangered?
Plagiobothrys chorisianus var. hickmanii carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Plagiobothrys cognatus — Cognate popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys collinus — Cooper's popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys collinus var. californicus — California popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys collinus var. fulvescens — Rough-stemmed popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys collinus var. gracilis — San diego popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys collinus var. ursinus — Bear valley popcornflower
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.