Plagiobothrys cognatus
Cognate popcornflower
(c) Konshau Duman, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Plagiobothrys cognatus (Cognate popcornflower) is a native California annual in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by montane elevation (1050-2520m), small prostrate habit.
Cognate popcornflower is a California native annual found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, Cascade Range, northern and central Sierra Nevada, and Great Basin in moist meadows, sagebrush flats, and forests at elevations of 1,050 to 2,520 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces small white flowers with a corolla limb 1 to 2 millimeters in diameter. Growing with prostrate to occasionally ascending stems 5 to 20 centimeters long, it has a delicate strigose (stiff-hairy) appearance. Its cauline leaves extend 2 to 7 centimeters along the stem, with lower leaves being most prominent. The fruit consists of small, asymmetric nutlets 1.2 to 1.8 millimeters long, with a distinctive brown surface featuring scattered tubercles and bristly textures.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 36 sympatric species; montane elevation (1050-2520m), small prostrate habit
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist places in meadows, sagebrush flats, forests
Elevation: 1050-2520 m
California counties: Nevada, Amador, Sierra, Plumas, Modoc, Tulare, Lassen, Siskiyou, Alpine, Placer, Shasta, Mono, Madera, Napa, Tehama, Humboldt, Lake, Trinity, Calaveras, Kern, El Dorado
Outside California: to eastern Washington, Rocky Mountains, Arizona
Bloom period
Plagiobothrys cognatus blooms May-Aug.
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 cognatus native to California?
Yes. Plagiobothrys cognatus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Plagiobothrys cognatus bloom?
Plagiobothrys cognatus blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Plagiobothrys cognatus grow?
Plagiobothrys cognatus occurs in Nevada, Amador, Sierra, Plumas, Modoc, Tulare, Lassen, Siskiyou and other counties, at elevations of 1050-2520 m.
What plant family does Plagiobothrys cognatus belong to?
Plagiobothrys cognatus is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Plagiobothrys.
What habitat does Plagiobothrys cognatus grow in?
Plagiobothrys cognatus grows in Moist places in meadows, sagebrush flats, forests.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Plagiobothrys cusickii — Cusick's popcornflower
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-08
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.