Trichostema parishii
Parish's bluecurls
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Trichostema parishii (Parish's bluecurls) is a native California shrub in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by shrub habit with less woolly inflorescence and shorter corolla than T. lanatum.
Parish's bluecurls is a California native shrub found in the Transverse and Peninsular Ranges in coastal scrub and chaparral at elevations of 600 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from March to July, this plant produces blue to pink or white flowers with a curved corolla tube 4 to 7 millimeters long. Growing up to 1.2 meters tall with short, appressed hairs on its stems, it forms a compact shrubby structure with distinctive linear leaves. Its leaves are 2 to 6 centimeters long, green on top, gray-hairy underneath, with margins rolled under, and smaller leaves often clustered in the axils. The plant features stamens extending 15 to 25 millimeters beyond its flowers, creating a delicate, distinctive appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; key features are shrub habit with less woolly inflorescence and shorter corolla than T. lanatum
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal scrub, chaparral
Elevation: 600-2000 m
California counties: San Bernardino, San Diego, Riverside, Los Angeles, Orange, Trinity, Imperial, Kern, Ventura, Colusa
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Trichostema parishii blooms Mar-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 parishii native to California?
Yes. Trichostema parishii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Trichostema parishii bloom?
Trichostema parishii blooms Mar-Jul.
Where in California does Trichostema parishii grow?
Trichostema parishii occurs in San Bernardino, San Diego, Riverside, Los Angeles, Orange, Trinity, Imperial, Kern and other counties, at elevations of 600-2000 m.
What plant family does Trichostema parishii belong to?
Trichostema parishii is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Trichostema.
What habitat does Trichostema parishii grow in?
Trichostema parishii 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.