 An 8-20 in. erect, hairy annual, with a basal rosette of leaves. Limestone Canyon Wilderness Park, Irvine, CA. 2-4-12. © Joan Avise |
Rusty Popcorn flower Plagiobothrys nothofulvus Fairly common in grassland, meadows and open coastal sage scrub; eastern foothills and Santa Ana Mountains (Roberts). Purple dye often noticeable on the roots, stems, leaf midrib and margins, and stipules. Hairs sparse, spreading, rough and sharp. Fruit generally 3 nutlets, 2 mm., without spines, ovoid, abruptly constricted to a pointed apex; round scar near middle. Calyx 2-3 mm., lobes generally curved over fruit. Flowering March - May. Back to Boraginaceae of Orange County, California |
 Flowers in 2's and 3's, no bracts near base; 5 sepals, narrow brownish-hairy lobes; corolla white with yellow center, 5-lobed, tubular, 1/4 in wide. Limestone Canyon Wilderness Park, Irvine, CA. 2-4-12. © Joan Avise |
 Leaves 1-4 in. long, alternate; upper leaves few and smaller. Limestone Canyon Wilderness Park, Irvine, CA. 2-4-12. © Joan Avise |
 Limestone Canyon Wilderness Park, Irvine, CA. 2-4-12. © Joan Avise |
 Characteristic shape of buds and developing fruits distinguish this plant from Cryptanthas. Bommer Canyon, Hogback Ridge Trail, Irvine, CA. 2-18-12. © Joan Avise |
 Bommer Canyon, Hogback Ridge Trail, Irvine, CA. 2-18-12. © Joan Avise |
 Bommer Canyon, Hogback Ridge Trail, Irvine, CA. 2-18-12. © Joan Avise |
 Red staining gives the plant its name. Bommer Canyon, Hogback Ridge Trail, Irvine, CA. 2-18-12. © Joan Avise |
 East Ridge Trail, Casper's Park, 2-22-15. © Ron Vanderhoff. |