Plagiobothrys mollis var. mollis
Downy popcorn flower
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Plagiobothrys mollis var. mollis (Downy popcorn flower) is a native California herb in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by Limited to northern California ranges; soft fine hairs distinguish from other varieties.
Downy popcorn flower is a California native perennial found in southeastern California Ranges, northeastern Sierra Nevada, and Modoc Plateau in uncommon moist, alkaline places in sagebrush scrub at elevations of 1,200 to 1,700 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces white flowers in distinctive curved inflorescences that resemble small clusters of popcorn. Growing with slender stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it forms soft, dense clusters with delicate branching. Its leaves are narrow and lance-shaped, typically 2 to 5 centimeters long, densely covered in soft white hairs that give the plant a downy appearance. The fruit consists of small gray nutlets with irregular cross-ribs, creating a textured surface characteristic of this delicate wildflower.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Limited to northern California ranges; soft fine hairs distinguish from other varieties
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Moist, alkaline places in sagebrush scrub
Elevation: 1200-1700 m
California counties: Lassen, Sierra, Modoc, Plumas, Tehama
Outside California: south-central Oregon, northwestern Nevada
Bloom period
Plagiobothrys mollis var. mollis 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 mollis var. mollis native to California?
Yes. Plagiobothrys mollis var. mollis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Plagiobothrys mollis var. mollis bloom?
Plagiobothrys mollis var. mollis blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Plagiobothrys mollis var. mollis grow?
Plagiobothrys mollis var. mollis occurs in Lassen, Sierra, Modoc, Plumas, Tehama, at elevations of 1200-1700 m.
What plant family does Plagiobothrys mollis var. mollis belong to?
Plagiobothrys mollis var. mollis is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Plagiobothrys.
What habitat does Plagiobothrys mollis var. mollis grow in?
Plagiobothrys mollis var. mollis grows in Uncommon. Moist, alkaline places in sagebrush scrub.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Plagiobothrys mollis var. vestitus — Petaluma popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys nitens — Shiny-nutlet popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys nothofulvus — Rusty popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys parishii — Parish's popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys reticulatus — Tracy's popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys reticulatus var. reticulatus — Reticulate popcorn flower
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.