Trichostema lanatum
Woolly blue curls
(c) Daniel S., some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Trichostema lanatum (Woolly blue curls) is a native California shrub in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by shrub habit, linear leaves, woolly inflorescence.
Woolly blue curls is a California native shrub found in southern coastal ranges, coastal southern California, western Transverse Ranges, San Gabriel Mountains, and Peninsular Ranges in coastal scrub and chaparral habitats at elevations below 1,250 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces distinctive blue to pink or white flowers in densely woolly clusters that completely obscure the flower stems. Growing to 1.5 meters tall with short appressed hairs on its stems, the plant develops linear leaves 3.5 to 7.5 centimeters long that are green on top and gray-hairy underneath with margins rolled tightly. Its leaves form small clusters in stem axils, creating a dense and textured appearance. The flowers feature a corolla tube 9 to 14 millimeters long with prominent lower lip and long stamens extending well beyond the flower structure.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; key features are shrub habit, linear leaves, woolly inflorescence
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal scrub, chaparral
Elevation: < 1250 m
California counties: San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Siskiyou, Ventura, San Diego, Kern, San Benito, Monterey, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, San Mateo, Trinity, Mendocino, Alameda
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Trichostema lanatum blooms Apr-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Salvia: Trichostema flowers have five equal lobes; sage flowers are distinctly two-lipped.; vs Lavandula: Trichostema stamens arch dramatically outward; lavender stamens stay hidden inside the flower tube.; vs Penstemon: Trichostema has square stems and opposite leaves; penstemon stems are round.; vs Lupinus: Trichostema flowers have five equal lobes; lupine flowers are pea-shaped with banner and keel.; vs Sairocarpus: Trichostema has four stamens visible arching out; snapdragons hide stamens inside closed throat.
Frequently asked questions
Is Trichostema lanatum native to California?
Yes. Trichostema lanatum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Trichostema lanatum bloom?
Trichostema lanatum blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Trichostema lanatum grow?
Trichostema lanatum occurs in San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Siskiyou, Ventura, San Diego, Kern and other counties, at elevations of < 1250 m.
What plant family does Trichostema lanatum belong to?
Trichostema lanatum is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Trichostema.
What habitat does Trichostema lanatum grow in?
Trichostema lanatum grows in Coastal scrub, chaparral.
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.