Scientific Family
Boraginaceae
Synonyms
Allocaryastrum collinum, Cryptantha collina, C. inconspicua, Eritrichium collinum, E. inconspicuum
Other common names
hill popcornflower
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Similar species
Plagiobothrys californicus var. ursinus, P. collinus var. fulvescens
Height
4 to 16 inches long
Riparian
No
Leafy, hairy annual with slender stems that spread on the ground or curve upward. Green leaves have a narrow spoon-like shape. Tiny 5-petaled white flowers resembling popped popcorn grow in elongated clusters that are widely spaced on the flower stalk.
Slender stemmed, stems often trailing, often very leafy; spreading hairs; lower stem leaves opposite, upper alternate, narrow; flowers in elongated clusters, petals white, less than 1/2 inch; nutlet scar left on top of very short angled narrow stalk.
Habitat
Grows in dry, sandy or gravelly soils in a variety of habitats such as chaparral and scrub. Also found in open conifer and oak forests. Reported to grow in various habitats after fires.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
2000
High elevation
6500
Flower Characteristics
Flowers grow on a spike-like stalk from the leaf axils (between the leaf and stem) almost to the base. Each tiny flower is bell-like, has 5 petals and is about 1/16 to 1/4 inch wide. Below each flower are narrow leaf-like sepals about 1/8 inch long.
Flower color
White
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
March
Last bloom month
May
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves and stems are coated in fine and rough hairs. The leaves along the stem are about 1/2 to 1-1/2 inches long. The lower leaves are oppositely arranged on the stem and the upper leaves are alternately arranged.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Fruit is an egg-shaped, tiny (1/16 inch) nut with a hard outer layer. Angular intersecting veins can be seen on the nutlet surface with magnification. 4 nutlets are often produced which leave a scar at the tip of the stalk when detaching at maturity.
Fruit type
Nutlet
Fruit color
Light green
Each nutlet contains 1 seed and does not split open to release the seed when ripe.