Synthyris missurica subsp. missurica
Kittentail, Kittentail
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Synthyris missurica subsp. missurica (Kittentail) is a native California herb in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by Warner Mountains location and erect fruiting spikes.
Kittentail is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native perennial found in western California mountains in moist forest at elevations of 30 to 2,900 meters. Flowering from March to July, this plant produces distinctive blue flowers in clusters with 15 to 100 blossoms, each corolla up to 10.5 millimeters long. Growing with erect stems up to 33 centimeters tall, it develops a thick flowering axis that becomes prominent in fruit. Its leaves are widely ovate with lobed bases and rounded tips, measuring up to 11 centimeters long and 15 centimeters wide, with petioles reaching 27 centimeters in length. The plant produces small round, flat seeds in fruits up to 8 millimeters long that are glabrous to sparsely hairy.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; distinguished by Warner Mountains location and erect fruiting spikes
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist forest
Elevation: 30-2900 m
Outside California: to Washington, Montana
Bloom period
Synthyris missurica subsp. missurica blooms Mar-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.3
How to tell it apart
vs Lindernia: Lindernia has leaves along the stem; Synthyris has all leaves at ground level with naked flower stalks.; vs Dopatrium: Dopatrium has tiny scale leaves on stems; Synthyris has broad basal leaves with leafless flower stems.; vs Gratiola: Gratiola has leaves arranged along stems; Synthyris keeps all leaves in a basal rosette.; vs Veronica: Veronica has leaves on flowering stems; Synthyris has basal leaves only with naked flower stalks.; vs Proboscidea: Proboscidea has large leaves on branching stems; Synthyris has basal rosettes with upright flower spikes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Synthyris missurica subsp. missurica native to California?
Yes. Synthyris missurica subsp. missurica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Synthyris missurica subsp. missurica bloom?
Synthyris missurica subsp. missurica blooms Mar-Jul.
What plant family does Synthyris missurica subsp. missurica belong to?
Synthyris missurica subsp. missurica is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Synthyris.
Is Synthyris missurica subsp. missurica rare or endangered?
Synthyris missurica subsp. missurica carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S3.
What habitat does Synthyris missurica subsp. missurica grow in?
Synthyris missurica subsp. missurica grows in Moist forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.