Taxon Report

Plagiobothrys nitens (Greene) I.M. Johnst.

shiny-nutlet popcornflower

Print Report



Species Description:
Plagiobothrys nitens, commonly known as shiny-nutlet popcornflower, is a annual herb in the Boraginaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Meadows and seeps, growing at elevations from 1510 to 1600 meters. Plagiobothrys nitens is ranked 2B.1, Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere; Seriously threatened in California.

  Classification

Scientific Name:
Plagiobothrys nitens (Greene) I.M. Johnst.
Common Name:
shiny-nutlet popcornflower
Family: Boraginaceae
Element Code: PDBOR0V1B0
USDA Plants Symbol: PLNI2
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: annual herb
Blooming Period: Jun-Jul Jun-Jul
Elevation: 1510-1600 (4955-5250)
General Habitats: Meadows and seeps
Microhabitat: Alkaline
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status

CA Rare Plant Rank: 2B.1
Global Rank: GNR
State Rank:
S1
State List: None
Fed List: None
Other Status: SB_CalBG/RSABG
CRPR Changes:
  • changed from 2.1 to 2B.1 on 2013-06-12
  • added to 2.1 on 2009-08-03

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Total Occurrences: 1
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 0
   Good (B) 0
   Fair (C) 0
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 1
California Endemic:  False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Inyo (INY)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Deep Springs Lake (3711831)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 2
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
1 100 %
Altered flood/tidal/hydrologic regime 1 100%
Grazing 1 100%

Notes

Threatened by grazing, trampling, and hydrological alteration. See Pittonia 3: 108 (1896-1898) for original description.
Threats:
Taxonomy:

Selected References

CRPR List Addition on 2009-08-03
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 13 January 2025].