Plagiobothrys mollis var. mollis

Downy popcorn flower

Family: Boraginaceae · Type: perennial · Native

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.

Habitat: Uncommon. Moist, alkaline places in sagebrush scrub

Bloom period: May-Aug

Elevation: 1200-1700 m

Bioregions: se CaRH, ne SNH, MP (exc Wrn)

California counties: Lassen, Sierra, Modoc, Plumas, Tehama

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.