Plagiobothrys parishii
Parish's popcornflower
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Plagiobothrys parishii (Parish's popcornflower) is a native California herb in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by desert spring habitat and large flowers for the region.
Parish's popcornflower is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in the central eastern Mojave Desert and southeastern California in wet, alkaline soil around desert springs and mud flats at elevations of 750 to 2,210 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces white flowers with yellow appendages in small delicate clusters. Growing with prostrate to ascending stems 5 to 30 centimeters long that are short and spreading-hairy, it has a low-growing, sprawling form. Its cauline leaves range 1 to 5 centimeters long with distinctive bulbous-based hairs on the undersides. The tiny nutlets are grayish-brown, lance-ovate, and asymmetrically shaped with strongly tubercled cross-ribs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species - desert spring habitat and large flowers for the region
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet, alkaline soil around desert springs, mud flats
Elevation: 750-2210 m
California counties: Inyo, San Bernardino, Mono, Los Angeles, Riverside
Bloom period
Plagiobothrys parishii blooms Mar-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.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 parishii native to California?
Yes. Plagiobothrys parishii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Plagiobothrys parishii bloom?
Plagiobothrys parishii blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Plagiobothrys parishii grow?
Plagiobothrys parishii occurs in Inyo, San Bernardino, Mono, Los Angeles, Riverside, at elevations of 750-2210 m.
What plant family does Plagiobothrys parishii belong to?
Plagiobothrys parishii is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Plagiobothrys.
Is Plagiobothrys parishii rare or endangered?
Plagiobothrys parishii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Plagiobothrys reticulatus — Tracy's popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys reticulatus var. reticulatus — Reticulate popcorn flower
- Plagiobothrys reticulatus var. rossianorum — Fort ross popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys salsus — Desert popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys scriptus — Scridgee's popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys shastensis — Shasta 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.