Plagiobothrys salsus
Desert popcornflower
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jim Morefield · licence
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Plagiobothrys salsus (Desert popcornflower) is a native California herb in the Boraginaceae family.
Desert popcornflower is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native annual found in northeastern Mojave Desert and northeastern Mono Plains in moist, saline mud flats and marshes at elevations of 610 to 1,410 meters. Flowering from March to July, this plant produces small white flowers with yellow appendages in compact clusters. Growing with decumbent to erect stems 6 to 25 centimeters tall, it has sparse, stiff hairs and a delicate spreading form. Its cauline leaves are 3 to 6 centimeters long, covered in densely bulbous-based hairs that give the plant a distinctive texture. The tiny nutlets are compressed-lanceolate, shiny brown with irregular cross-ribs and an asymmetric shape.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated - no sympatric species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist, saline, alkaline mud flats, marshes
Elevation: 610-1410 m
California counties: Modoc, Inyo
Outside California: southeastern Oregon, Nevada
Bloom period
Plagiobothrys salsus blooms Mar-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
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 salsus native to California?
Yes. Plagiobothrys salsus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Plagiobothrys salsus bloom?
Plagiobothrys salsus blooms Mar-Jul.
Where in California does Plagiobothrys salsus grow?
Plagiobothrys salsus occurs in Modoc, Inyo, at elevations of 610-1410 m.
What plant family does Plagiobothrys salsus belong to?
Plagiobothrys salsus is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Plagiobothrys.
Is Plagiobothrys salsus rare or endangered?
Plagiobothrys salsus carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Plagiobothrys scriptus — Scridgee's popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys shastensis — Shasta popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys sp. — Popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys stipitatus — Great valley popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys stipitatus var. micranthus — Common vernal pool allocarya
- Plagiobothrys stipitatus var. stipitatus — Showy great valley 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.