Plectritis congesta
Sea blush
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Family: Valerianaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Plectritis congesta (Sea blush) is a native California herb in the Valerianaceae family, recognized by parent species with subspecies present.
Sea blush is a California native annual found in coastal and near-coastal regions in coastal prairie and grassland habitats. Flowering from March to June, this delicate plant produces pale pink to white flowers in dense clusters that create a blush-like appearance across open landscapes. Growing 10 to 30 centimeters tall with slender, branching stems that are often reddish or green, the plant forms compact, rounded growth habits. Its leaves are variable, with lower leaves being broadly spatulate and upper leaves becoming more narrow and lance-shaped, typically arranged alternately along the stem. The fruit is distinctive, with a convex side featuring lengthwise keel and winged margins that are hairy near the tip and edges.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; parent species with subspecies present
Habitat and range
California counties: Mendocino, Santa Clara, Trinity, Plumas, Napa, Santa Cruz, Solano, San Diego, San Benito, Marin, Humboldt, Butte, Siskiyou, Sutter, Contra Costa, Glenn, Del Norte, San Luis Obispo, Colusa, Lake, Monterey, San Mateo, Lassen, Yolo, Santa Barbara
How to tell it apart
vs Valerianella: Plectritis branches simply; Valerianella forks repeatedly in a symmetrical candelabra pattern.; vs Valeriana: Plectritis is annual with simple leaves; Valeriana is perennial with fern-like compound leaves.; vs Whipplea: Plectritis has tiny spurred flowers in dense clusters; Whipplea has 5-petaled white flowers with opposite leaves.; vs Centranthus: Plectritis is a delicate annual; Centranthus is a robust perennial with bright purple-red flowers.; vs Trifolium: Plectritis has tiny tubular flowers; Trifolium has pea-family flowers with three-part clover leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Plectritis congesta native to California?
Yes. Plectritis congesta is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Plectritis congesta grow?
Plectritis congesta occurs in Mendocino, Santa Clara, Trinity, Plumas, Napa, Santa Cruz, Solano, San Diego and other counties.
What plant family does Plectritis congesta belong to?
Plectritis congesta is in the Valerianaceae family, genus Plectritis.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.