Trichostema ovatum
San joaquin bluecurls
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Trichostema ovatum (San joaquin bluecurls) is a native California herb in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by low elevation, ovate leaves with length < 2x width.
San joaquin bluecurls is a California native annual found in southern San Joaquin Valley and western Transverse Ranges (Ventura County) in grasslands and disturbed sites at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering from July to October, this plant produces subtle blue to purple flowers with distinctive curved corollas sharply recurved near the throat. Growing with woolly stems up to 80 centimeters tall, featuring soft, curled or spreading hairs that include glandular elements. Its leaves are small and ovate, approximately 1 to 2 centimeters long, with prominent lateral veins near the base. The plant's unusual flower structure includes stamens 11 to 16 millimeters long and a curved corolla tube that extends beyond the calyx.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; key features are low elevation, ovate leaves with length < 2x width
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassland, disturbed sites
Elevation: < 300 m
California counties: Kern, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Fresno, Kings, Tulare
Bloom period
Trichostema ovatum blooms Jul-Oct.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
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 ovatum native to California?
Yes. Trichostema ovatum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Trichostema ovatum bloom?
Trichostema ovatum blooms Jul-Oct.
Where in California does Trichostema ovatum grow?
Trichostema ovatum occurs in Kern, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Fresno, Kings, Tulare, at elevations of < 300 m.
What plant family does Trichostema ovatum belong to?
Trichostema ovatum is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Trichostema.
Is Trichostema ovatum rare or endangered?
Trichostema ovatum carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.