Plagiobothrys nitens
Shiny-nutlet popcornflower
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Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.1
Plagiobothrys nitens (Shiny-nutlet popcornflower) is a native California herb in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by shiny seeds and desert spring habitat distinctive.
Shiny-nutlet popcornflower is a rare (CNPS 2B.1) California native annual found in the eastern Sierra Nevada near Deep Springs Lake in wet areas below springs at an elevation of 1,510 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces small white flowers with a corolla limb 1 to 2 millimeters in diameter. Growing with ascending to erect stems 10 to 15 centimeters tall that are generally branched above the base, it displays a delicate, sparse structure. Its cauline leaves range 2 to 5 centimeters long, providing a subtle green backdrop to the plant's fine form. The distinctive nutlets are ovate, 1 to 1.5 millimeters long, with a shiny gray to tan surface and an asymmetric shape that adds intricate detail to its reproductive strategy.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species - shiny seeds and desert spring habitat distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet areas below springs
Elevation: 1510 m
California counties: Inyo, Modoc, Mono
Outside California: Nevada, northern Utah
Bloom period
Plagiobothrys nitens blooms May-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.1
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 nitens native to California?
Yes. Plagiobothrys nitens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Plagiobothrys nitens bloom?
Plagiobothrys nitens blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Plagiobothrys nitens grow?
Plagiobothrys nitens occurs in Inyo, Modoc, Mono, at elevations of 1510 m.
What plant family does Plagiobothrys nitens belong to?
Plagiobothrys nitens is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Plagiobothrys.
Is Plagiobothrys nitens rare or endangered?
Plagiobothrys nitens carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Plagiobothrys salsus — Desert popcornflower
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-08
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.