Taxon Report

Githopsis diffusa A. Gray ssp. filicaulis (Ewan) Morin

Mission Canyon bluecup

Print Report

Taxon Summary

Githopsis diffusa ssp. filicaulis, commonly known as Mission Canyon bluecup, is a annual herb in the Campanulaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Chaparral, Coastal scrub, and Riparian woodland, growing at elevations from 30 to 1570 meters. Githopsis diffusa ssp. filicaulis is ranked 1B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Githopsis diffusa A. Gray ssp. filicaulis (Ewan) Morin
Common Name:	Mission Canyon bluecup
Family:	Campanulaceae
Element Code:	PDCAM07023
USDA Plants Symbol:	GIFI3
Synonyms/Other Names:	Githopsis filicaulis Ewan

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	annual herb
Blooming Period: (Apr)May(Jun)	(Apr)May(Jun)
Elevation:	30-1570 (100-5150)
General Habitats:	Chaparral, Coastal scrub, Riparian woodland
Microhabitat:	Clay, Gabbroic, Granitic, Gravelly, Metamorphic, Openings, Rocky, Seeps, Serpentine, Vernally Mesic
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	1B.2
Global Rank:	G5T1Q
State Rank:	S1
State List:	None
Fed List:	None
Other Status:
CRPR Changes:	changed from 3.1 to 1B.2 on 2026-01-21

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	3
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	0
Good (B)	0
Fair (C)	0
Poor (D)	0
None (X)	0
Unknown (U)	3

Location


California Endemic: True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Riverside (RIV), San Diego (SDG)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
El Cajon Mtn. (3211687), Sage (3311658), San Vicente Reservoir (3211688)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	0
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	0	%

Notes




Threats:
Approximately one quarter of its historical occurrences are possibly extirpated by urbanization and mining.
Taxonomy:
Distinguished from other subspecies of G. diffusa by its extremely narrow, thread-like stems (upper stems 0.2-0.4 mm in diameter) and white to pale pink corollas 1.5-5 mm long.

Selected References

CNPS Status Review: Proposed change from CRPR 3.1, G5T1Q / S1 to 1B.2, G5T2 / S2 (2026)

Rhodora 41: 312 (1939)

Systematic Botany 8(4): 465 (1983)

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2026. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 28 January 2026].