Plagiobothrys tener
Slender popcornflower
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Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Plagiobothrys tener (Slender popcornflower) is a native California herb in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by fragrant flowers and 4-ridged fruiting calyx base diagnostic.
Slender popcornflower is a California native annual found in low-elevation grasslands and coastal areas. Flowering from March to June, this delicate plant produces small white flowers with distinctive yellow appendages in tiny clusters. Growing with slender erect or occasionally prostrate stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall that branch at the base, it forms sparse, open clusters. Its cauline leaves are relatively few, with lower leaves extending 2 to 6 centimeters long. The fruit consists of small, lance-ovate nutlets with irregular cross-ribs and a dull tan to black surface.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 35 sympatric species - fragrant flowers and 4-ridged fruiting calyx base diagnostic
Habitat and range
California counties: Lake, Shasta, Tehama, Napa, Trinity, Lassen, Modoc, Siskiyou, Sonoma
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 tener native to California?
Yes. Plagiobothrys tener is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Plagiobothrys tener grow?
Plagiobothrys tener occurs in Lake, Shasta, Tehama, Napa, Trinity, Lassen, Modoc, Siskiyou and other counties.
What plant family does Plagiobothrys tener belong to?
Plagiobothrys tener is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Plagiobothrys.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Plagiobothrys tener var. subglaber — Serpentine popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys tener var. tener — Slender popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys torreyi — High sierra popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys torreyi var. diffusus — Torrey's popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys torreyi var. perplexans — Chaparral popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys torreyi var. torreyi — Yosemite popcornflower
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.