Plagiobothrys torreyi var. perplexans
Chaparral popcornflower
(c) Chris Winchell, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Chris Winchell · licence
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Plagiobothrys torreyi var. perplexans (Chaparral popcornflower) is a native California annual in the Boraginaceae family.
Chaparral popcornflower is a California native annual found in central Sierra Nevada Mountains in chaparral habitats at elevations of 500 to 2,100 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces small white flowers approximately 2 to 3 millimeters in diameter with delicate, translucent petals. Growing with ascending to erect stems 5 to 30 centimeters tall, the plant has reddish staining hairs that spread across its slender structure. Its leaves form a basal rosette up to 8 centimeters long, with narrow-ovate cauline leaves that complement its delicate form. The fruit consists of small, grayish-brown nutlets with distinctive rounded cross-ribs and rows of translucent papillae.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated - no sympatric species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Gravelly soils in chaparral, +- fire follower
Elevation: 500-2100 m
California counties: Fresno, Kern, Tulare, Mariposa
Bloom period
Plagiobothrys torreyi var. perplexans blooms Apr-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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. perplexans native to California?
Yes. Plagiobothrys torreyi var. perplexans is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Plagiobothrys torreyi var. perplexans bloom?
Plagiobothrys torreyi var. perplexans blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Plagiobothrys torreyi var. perplexans grow?
Plagiobothrys torreyi var. perplexans occurs in Fresno, Kern, Tulare, Mariposa, at elevations of 500-2100 m.
What plant family does Plagiobothrys torreyi var. perplexans belong to?
Plagiobothrys torreyi var. perplexans is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Plagiobothrys.
Is Plagiobothrys torreyi var. perplexans rare or endangered?
Plagiobothrys torreyi var. perplexans carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3?.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Plagiobothrys acanthocarpus — Adobe popcornflower
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.