Plagiobothrys torreyi var. torreyi
Yosemite popcornflower, Yosemite Popcornflower
(c) Chris Winchell, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Chris Winchell · licence
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Plagiobothrys torreyi var. torreyi (Yosemite popcornflower) is a native California herb in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by erect habit and sparse leaves.
Yosemite popcornflower is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains in forest edges and flats at elevations of 1,200 to 2,100 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces small white flowers in delicate, branching clusters. Growing with nearly erect stems that are sparse and relatively few, it reaches a modest height with scattered oblong leaves along its stems. Its cauline leaves are sparse and somewhat elongated, contributing to the plant's delicate appearance. The plant's compact form and limited distribution make it a distinctive inhabitant of high-elevation Sierra Nevada forest margins.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species - distinguished by erect habit and sparse leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Forest edges, flats
Elevation: 1200-2100 m
California counties: Mariposa, Fresno, Tuolumne
Bloom period
Plagiobothrys torreyi var. torreyi blooms May-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.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 torreyi var. torreyi native to California?
Yes. Plagiobothrys torreyi var. torreyi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Plagiobothrys torreyi var. torreyi bloom?
Plagiobothrys torreyi var. torreyi blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Plagiobothrys torreyi var. torreyi grow?
Plagiobothrys torreyi var. torreyi occurs in Mariposa, Fresno, Tuolumne, at elevations of 1200-2100 m.
What plant family does Plagiobothrys torreyi var. torreyi belong to?
Plagiobothrys torreyi var. torreyi is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Plagiobothrys.
Is Plagiobothrys torreyi var. torreyi rare or endangered?
Plagiobothrys torreyi var. torreyi carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Plagiobothrys trachycarpus — Rough-nutlet popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys uncinatus — Hooked popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys undulatus — Wavy-stemmed popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys verrucosus — Forget-me-not popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys acanthocarpus — Adobe popcornflower
- Plagiobothrys arizonicus — Arizona 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.