Plagiobothrys mollis var. vestitus
Petaluma popcornflower
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1A
Plagiobothrys mollis var. vestitus (Petaluma popcornflower) is a native California herb in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by Wide distribution; coarse bristly hairs vs soft hairs of var. mollis.
Petaluma popcornflower is a rare (CNPS 1A) California native perennial found in northern San Francisco Bay near Petaluma in southern Sonoma County's wet grassland sites at elevations below 50 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces white flowers in delicate clusters characteristic of the popcornflower family. Growing with slender stems less than 30 centimeters tall, it emerges sparsely in grassland habitats. Its leaves are narrow and elongated, typical of low-growing wildflowers in coastal grasslands. The fruit consists of brown nutlets with a distinctive netted cross-rib pattern that distinguishes this critically imperiled variety.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Wide distribution; coarse bristly hairs vs soft hairs of var. mollis
Habitat and range
Habitat: Presumed extinct. Wet sites in grassland
Elevation: < 50 m
Bloom period
Plagiobothrys mollis var. vestitus blooms May-Jul.
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 mollis var. vestitus native to California?
Yes. Plagiobothrys mollis var. vestitus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Plagiobothrys mollis var. vestitus bloom?
Plagiobothrys mollis var. vestitus blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Plagiobothrys mollis var. vestitus belong to?
Plagiobothrys mollis var. vestitus is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Plagiobothrys.
Is Plagiobothrys mollis var. vestitus rare or endangered?
Plagiobothrys mollis var. vestitus carries California Rare Plant Rank 1A, state rank SX.
What habitat does Plagiobothrys mollis var. vestitus grow in?
Plagiobothrys mollis var. vestitus grows in Presumed extinct. Wet sites in grassland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Plagiobothrys reticulatus var. rossianorum — Fort ross popcornflower
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.