Taxon Report

Plagiobothrys torreyi (A. Gray) A Gray var. perplexans I.M. Johnst.

chaparral popcornflower

Print Report


Taxon Summary

Plagiobothrys torreyi var. perplexans, commonly known as chaparral popcornflower, is a annual herb in the Boraginaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Chaparral, Lower montane coniferous forest, Meadows and seeps, and Upper montane coniferous forest, growing at elevations from 1070 to 2745 meters. Plagiobothrys torreyi var. perplexans is ranked 4.3, Plants of Limited Distribution, A Watch List; Not very threatened in California.


  Classification

Scientific Name:
Plagiobothrys torreyi (A. Gray) A Gray var. perplexans I.M. Johnst.
Common Name:
chaparral popcornflower
Family: Boraginaceae
Element Code: PDBOR0V153
USDA Plants Symbol:
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: annual herb
Blooming Period: Apr-Sep Apr-Sep
Elevation: 1070-2745 (3510-9005)
General Habitats: Chaparral, Lower montane coniferous forest, Meadows and seeps, Upper montane coniferous forest
Microhabitat: Burned areas
Microhabitat Details: igneous soils

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Total Occurrences: 0
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 0
   Good (B) 0
   Fair (C) 0
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 0
California Endemic:  True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Kern (KRN)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Liebre Twins (3411885), Loraine (3511834)

Notes

Previously identified as P. myosotoides, which does not occur in CA. Possibly threatened by fire suppression. Similar to P. tenellus and P. torreyi var. torreyi; co-occurs with var. torreyi in the lower Sierra Nevada Foothills. See Contributions from the Gray Herbarium of Harvard University 68:72 (1923) for original description.
Threats:
Taxonomy:

Selected References

CRPR List Addition on 2012-08-21
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 27 January 2025].