Taxon Report

Gilia tenuiflora Benth. ssp. arenaria (Benth.) A. & V. Grant

Monterey gilia

Print Report

Taxon Summary

Gilia tenuiflora ssp. arenaria, commonly known as Monterey gilia, is a annual herb in the Polemoniaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Chaparral (maritime), Cismontane woodland, Coastal dunes, and Coastal scrub, growing at elevations from 0 to 45 meters. Gilia tenuiflora ssp. arenaria is ranked 1B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Gilia tenuiflora Benth. ssp. arenaria (Benth.) A. & V. Grant
Common Name:	Monterey gilia
Family:	Polemoniaceae
Element Code:	PDPLM041P2
USDA Plants Symbol:	GITEA2
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	annual herb
Blooming Period: Apr-Jun	Apr-Jun
Elevation:	0-45 (0-150)
General Habitats:	Chaparral, Cismontane woodland, Coastal dunes, Coastal scrub
Microhabitat:	Openings, Sandy
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	1B.2
Global Rank:	G3G4T2
State Rank:	S2
State List:	CT
Fed List:	FE
Other Status:	SB_CalBG/RSABG
CRPR Changes:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	29
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	1
Good (B)	4
Fair (C)	5
Poor (D)	0
None (X)	4
Unknown (U)	15

Location


California Endemic: True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Monterey (MNT), Santa Cruz (SCR)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Marina (3612167), Monterey (3612158), Moss Landing (3612177), Salinas (3612166), Seaside (3612157), Spreckels (3612156), Watsonville West (3612187)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	10
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	18	62 %
Development	14	48%
Non-native plant impacts	10	34%
ORV activity	4	13%
Recreational use (non-ORV)	4	13%
Foot traffic/trampling	4	13%
Road/trail construction/maint.	2	6%
Vandalism/dumping/litter	1	3%
Landfill	1	3%
Erosion/runoff	1	3%
Biocides	1	3%

Notes



Intergrades with ssp. tenuiflora near the Salinas River mouth. See Aliso 3(3):246 (1956) for revised nomenclature.
Threats:
Seriously threatened by development, sand mining, vehicles, recreational activities, foot traffic, and non-native plants.
Taxonomy:

Selected References

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 26 November 2025].