Plagiobothrys lithocaryus
Mayacamas popcornflower
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1A
Plagiobothrys lithocaryus (Mayacamas popcornflower) is a native California herb in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by extinct status and historical Mayacamas Mountains location.
Mayacamas popcornflower is a rare (CNPS 1A) California native annual found in southern North Coast Ranges Interior valleys near the Mayacamas Mountains at elevations of 300 to 450 meters in moist sites, now presumed extinct. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces small white flowers with a corolla limb 2 to 4 millimeters in diameter. Growing with erect stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall that are short-strigose and minimally branched at the base, it develops cauline leaves up to 6 centimeters long. Its leaves are sparse, with lower leaves extending 3 to 6 centimeters along the stem. The fruit consists of shiny, tan-colored nutlets 1.8 to 2.5 millimeters long with a rounded abaxial ridge and a linear scar near the base.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 20 sympatric species - extinct status and historical Mayacamas Mountains location
Habitat and range
Habitat: Presumed extinct. Moist sites
Elevation: 300-450 m
California counties: Lake, Mendocino
Bloom period
Plagiobothrys lithocaryus blooms Apr-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1A
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 lithocaryus native to California?
Yes. Plagiobothrys lithocaryus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Plagiobothrys lithocaryus bloom?
Plagiobothrys lithocaryus blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Plagiobothrys lithocaryus grow?
Plagiobothrys lithocaryus occurs in Lake, Mendocino, at elevations of 300-450 m.
What plant family does Plagiobothrys lithocaryus belong to?
Plagiobothrys lithocaryus is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Plagiobothrys.
Is Plagiobothrys lithocaryus rare or endangered?
Plagiobothrys lithocaryus carries California Rare Plant Rank 1A, state rank SX.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Plagiobothrys mollis — Creeping popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys mollis var. mollis — Downy popcorn flower
- Plagiobothrys mollis var. vestitus — Petaluma popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys nitens — Shiny-nutlet popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys nothofulvus — Rusty popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys parishii — Parish's 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.