Plagiobothrys sp.
Popcornflower, Popcornflower
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Plagiobothrys sp. (Popcornflower) is a native California perennial in the Boraginaceae family.
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 sp. native to California?
Yes. Plagiobothrys sp. is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Plagiobothrys sp. belong to?
Plagiobothrys sp. is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Plagiobothrys.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Plagiobothrys stipitatus — Great valley popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys stipitatus var. micranthus — Common vernal pool allocarya
- Plagiobothrys stipitatus var. stipitatus — Showy great valley popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys strictus — Calistoga popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys tenellus — Pacific popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys tener — Slender popcornflower
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.