Plagiobothrys torreyi var. diffusus
Torrey's popcornflower
(c) Chris Winchell, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Chris Winchell · licence
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Plagiobothrys torreyi var. diffusus (Torrey's popcornflower) is a native California herb in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by decumbent habit and dense cauline leaves.
Torrey's popcornflower is a California native annual found in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Tehachapi area, and San Bernardino Mountains in moist to dry meadows, flats, and forest edges at elevations of 1,200 to 3,400 meters. Flowering from June to August, this delicate plant produces small white flowers clustered in subtle, dense groupings. Growing with decumbent to ascending stems that spread 10 to 30 centimeters across, it develops a loose, somewhat sprawling form. Its leaves are densely clustered along the stem, ranging from ovate to elliptic in shape and typically 5 to 15 millimeters long. The plant's compact structure and white blossoms make it a subtle but charming addition to its montane habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 15 sympatric species - distinguished by decumbent habit and dense cauline leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Moist to dry meadows, flats, forest edges
Elevation: 1200-3400 m
California counties: Tuolumne, El Dorado, San Francisco, Tulare, Sacramento, Nevada, San Bernardino, Fresno, Plumas, Mariposa, Alpine, Madera, Sierra, Kern, Inyo
Bloom period
Plagiobothrys torreyi var. diffusus blooms Jun-Aug.
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 torreyi var. diffusus native to California?
Yes. Plagiobothrys torreyi var. diffusus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Plagiobothrys torreyi var. diffusus bloom?
Plagiobothrys torreyi var. diffusus blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Plagiobothrys torreyi var. diffusus grow?
Plagiobothrys torreyi var. diffusus occurs in Tuolumne, El Dorado, San Francisco, Tulare, Sacramento, Nevada, San Bernardino, Fresno and other counties, at elevations of 1200-3400 m.
What plant family does Plagiobothrys torreyi var. diffusus belong to?
Plagiobothrys torreyi var. diffusus is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Plagiobothrys.
What habitat does Plagiobothrys torreyi var. diffusus grow in?
Plagiobothrys torreyi var. diffusus grows in Common. Moist to dry meadows, flats, forest edges.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Plagiobothrys torreyi var. perplexans — Chaparral popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys torreyi var. torreyi — Yosemite popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys trachycarpus — Rough-nutlet popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys uncinatus — Hooked popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys undulatus — Wavy-stemmed popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys verrucosus — Forget-me-not 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.