Zeltnera namophila
Spring-loving centaury
(c) Pacific Southwest Region U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Gentianaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Threatened
Zeltnera namophila (Spring-loving centaury) is a native California herb in the Gentianaceae family, recognized by habitat, linear leaves, and single stigma diagnostic.
Spring-loving centaury is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in the eastern Sierra Nevada and Mojave Desert bioregions in wet alkaline meadows near springs or lakes at elevations below 700 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces delicate pink to white flowers with lanceolate lobes 5 to 8 millimeters long, arranged in an open, elongate panicle-like inflorescence. Growing with slender stems 15 to 60 centimeters tall, it develops an upright, branching structure with multiple flowering branches. Its cauline leaves are linear to thread-like, measuring 10 to 50 millimeters in length, creating a sparse, delicate foliage along the stem. The plant's distinctive stigma is approximately two-lobed, contributing to its unique botanical character.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; habitat, linear leaves, and single stigma diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet alkaline meadows, generally near springs or lakes or in alkaline marshes
Elevation: < 700 m
California counties: Inyo, Mono
Outside California: to Nevada
Bloom period
Zeltnera namophila blooms Jul-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1 · Threatened
How to tell it apart
vs Centaurium: Zeltnera has wedge-shaped stigmas; Centaurium has oval stigmas (need hand lens).; vs Calandrinia: Zeltnera has tubular gentian flowers; Calandrinia has separate petals.; vs Sabatia: Zeltnera has narrow flower tubes; marsh pink has rotate flowers.; vs Clarkia: Zeltnera has tubular flowers; Clarkia has four separate petals.; vs Leptosiphon: Zeltnera has pink/white flowers; Leptosiphon often multicolored with very narrow tubes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Zeltnera namophila native to California?
Yes. Zeltnera namophila is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Zeltnera namophila bloom?
Zeltnera namophila blooms Jul-Sep.
Where in California does Zeltnera namophila grow?
Zeltnera namophila occurs in Inyo, Mono, at elevations of < 700 m.
What plant family does Zeltnera namophila belong to?
Zeltnera namophila is in the Gentianaceae family, genus Zeltnera.
Is Zeltnera namophila rare or endangered?
Zeltnera namophila carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-08
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.