Plagiobothrys collinus var. gracilis
San diego popcornflower, San Diego Popcornflower
Photo: parent species Plagiobothrys collinus · (c) Millie Basden, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Plagiobothrys collinus var. gracilis (San diego popcornflower) is a native California herb in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by narrow linear leaves (2-2.5mm), small flowers, coastal distribution.
San diego popcornflower is a California native annual herb found in southern California coastal regions including Riverside and San Diego counties, Channel Islands, and southwestern Peninsular Ranges in dry coastal scrub and occasional chaparral at elevations of 5 to 640 meters. Flowering from January to May, this delicate plant produces small white flowers approximately 1.5 to 2 millimeters in diameter. Growing with somewhat prostrate stems 10 to 30 centimeters long covered in coarse hairs, it spreads across the landscape with a low-growing habit. Its narrow linear leaves measure 1 to 4 centimeters long and 2 to 2.5 millimeters wide, with inflorescences that distinctively extend beyond the leaf length. The fruit consists of small nutlets 1 to 1.5 millimeters long, characteristic of its popcornflower genus.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 16 sympatric species; narrow linear leaves (2-2.5mm), small flowers, coastal distribution
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry places, +- clay openings in coastal scrub, occasionally chaparral
Elevation: 5-640 m
California counties: Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Ventura, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo
Bloom period
Plagiobothrys collinus var. gracilis blooms Jan-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 collinus var. gracilis native to California?
Yes. Plagiobothrys collinus var. gracilis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Plagiobothrys collinus var. gracilis bloom?
Plagiobothrys collinus var. gracilis blooms Jan-May.
Where in California does Plagiobothrys collinus var. gracilis grow?
Plagiobothrys collinus var. gracilis occurs in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Ventura, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, at elevations of 5-640 m.
What plant family does Plagiobothrys collinus var. gracilis belong to?
Plagiobothrys collinus var. gracilis is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Plagiobothrys.
What habitat does Plagiobothrys collinus var. gracilis grow in?
Plagiobothrys collinus var. gracilis grows in dry places, +- clay openings in coastal scrub, occasionally chaparral.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Plagiobothrys collinus var. ursinus — Bear valley popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys cusickii — Cusick's popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys diffusus — San francisco popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys distantiflorus — Madera popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys fulvus var. campestris — Field popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys glaber — Hairless 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.