Plagiobothrys humistratus
Low popcornflower, Low Popcornflower
(c) Kyle Elshoff, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Plagiobothrys humistratus (Low popcornflower) is a native California herb in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by prostrate habit and basal flowers distinguish from upright species.
Low popcornflower is a California native annual found in the Central Valley, Sierra Nevada foothills, southern Coast Ranges, and southern California coastal areas in vernal pools, wet grasslands, and moist places at elevations generally below 200 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces small white flowers with pale yellow appendages in delicate clusters. Growing with prostrate stems 10 to 40 centimeters long that are sparse-strigose, it spreads low across the ground with an open, sprawling growth habit. Its cauline leaves are 3 to 8 centimeters long, distributed along the stem with lower leaves being more prominent. Its distinctive fruits are small lance-ovate nutlets about 2 to 2.5 millimeters long, often with subtle bristles and a nearly obscured ridge.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 37 sympatric species - prostrate habit and basal flowers distinguish from upright species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Vernal pools, wet places, grassland
Elevation: generally < 200 m
California counties: Colusa, San Joaquin, Ventura, Contra Costa, Fresno, Butte, Kern, Tehama, Madera, Stanislaus, Alameda, Merced, San Luis Obispo, Solano, Yolo, Tulare, Monterey
Bloom period
Plagiobothrys humistratus 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 humistratus native to California?
Yes. Plagiobothrys humistratus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Plagiobothrys humistratus bloom?
Plagiobothrys humistratus blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Plagiobothrys humistratus grow?
Plagiobothrys humistratus occurs in Colusa, San Joaquin, Ventura, Contra Costa, Fresno, Butte, Kern, Tehama and other counties, at elevations of generally < 200 m.
What plant family does Plagiobothrys humistratus belong to?
Plagiobothrys humistratus is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Plagiobothrys.
What habitat does Plagiobothrys humistratus grow in?
Plagiobothrys humistratus grows in Vernal pools, wet places, grassland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.