Tiquilia canescens var. pulchella
Chocolate mtns. coldenia
(c) W. Terry Hunefeld, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Ehretiaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 3.2
Tiquilia canescens var. pulchella (Chocolate mtns. coldenia) is a native California subshrub in the Ehretiaceae family, recognized by distinctive large blue/lavender flowers.
Chocolate mtns. coldenia is a rare (CNPS 3.2) California native perennial found in the southern desert region on slopes, ridges, and occasional washes at elevations of 250 to 600 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces blue to lavender flowers with a corolla 8 to 12 millimeters long and a flower limb 5 to 8 millimeters in diameter. Growing with low-spreading stems characteristic of desert environments, it forms compact clusters close to the ground. Its leaves are small and densely clustered, adapted to the arid landscape with a grayish-green coloration that helps reflect intense desert sunlight. The plant's compact form and delicate blue-lavender flowers provide a subtle yet striking contrast to the harsh desert terrain.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; distinctive large blue/lavender flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Slopes, ridges, occasionally washes
Elevation: 250-600 m
Outside California: southwestern Arizona
Bloom period
Tiquilia canescens var. pulchella blooms Mar-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 3.2
How to tell it apart
vs Eriogonum: Tiquilia has opposite leaves and tubular flowers; Eriogonum has basal/alternate leaves and petal-less flowers in heads.; vs Nama: Tiquilia forms ground-hugging mats with sessile flowers at forks; Nama is more upright with stalked flowers.; vs Croton: Tiquilia has showy tubular flowers; Croton has tiny inconspicuous greenish flowers without petals.; vs Euphorbia: Tiquilia has regular tubular flowers with 5 petals; Euphorbia has specialized cup-like flower structures with milky sap.; vs Heliotropium: Tiquilia has a deeply forked style with 2 stigmas; Heliotropium has an undivided style or single stigma.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tiquilia canescens var. pulchella native to California?
Yes. Tiquilia canescens var. pulchella is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Tiquilia canescens var. pulchella bloom?
Tiquilia canescens var. pulchella blooms Mar-May.
What plant family does Tiquilia canescens var. pulchella belong to?
Tiquilia canescens var. pulchella is in the Ehretiaceae family, genus Tiquilia.
Is Tiquilia canescens var. pulchella rare or endangered?
Tiquilia canescens var. pulchella carries California Rare Plant Rank 3.2, state rank S3.
What habitat does Tiquilia canescens var. pulchella grow in?
Tiquilia canescens var. pulchella grows in Slopes, ridges, occasionally washes.
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.