''Navarretia'' is a genus of about 30 species of flowering plants related to the

phlox ''Phlox'' (; Greek φλόξ "flame"; plural "phlox" or "phloxes", Greek φλόγες ''phlóges'') is a genus of 67 species of perennial and annual plants in the family Polemoniaceae. They are found mostly in North America (one in Siberia) in di ...

es and the

gilia ''Gilia'' is a genus of between 25 and 50 species of flowering plants in the Polemoniaceae family and is related to phlox. These Western native plants are best sown in sunny, well-draining soil in the temperate and tropical regions of the Ameri ...

s. This is one genus of plants, among others, which are sometimes called pincushionplants. The

inflorescence An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Morphologically, it is the modified part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed o ...

which bears the flowers is surrounded by frilly green

bract In botany, a bract is a modified or specialized leaf, especially one associated with a reproductive structure such as a flower, inflorescence axis or cone scale. Bracts are usually different from foliage leaves. They may be smaller, larger, or of ...

s bearing soft spines, giving it the appearance of a

pincushion A pincushion (or pin cushion) is a small, stuffed cushion, typically across, which is used in sewing to store pins or needles with their heads protruding to take hold of them easily, collect them, and keep them organized. Pincushions are typic ...

. Several species are members of the

vernal pool Vernal pools, also called vernal ponds or ephemeral pools, are seasonal pools of water that provide habitat for distinctive plants and animals. They are considered to be a distinctive type of wetland usually devoid of fish, and thus allow the safe ...

ecosystem. Selected species: *''

Navarretia atractyloides ''Navarretia atractyloides'' is a species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common name hollyleaf pincushionplant. It is native to the coastal mountain ranges of western North America from Oregon through California to Baja Cal ...

'' - hollyleaf pincushionplant *'' Navarretia breweri'' - Brewer's pincushionplant *'' Navarretia capillaris'' - miniature gilia *''

Navarretia cotulifolia ''Navarretia cotulifolia'' is a species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common name cotulaleaf pincushionplant, or cotula navarretia. It is endemic to northern California, where it grows in the Sacramento Valley and the Coa ...

'' - cotulaleaf pincushionplant *''

Navarretia divaricata ''Navarretia divaricata'' is a species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common name mountain navarretia, or divaricate navarretia. It is native to western North America from British Columbia to Montana to California, where it ...

'' - divaricate navarretia *''

Navarretia eriocephala ''Navarretia'' is a genus of about 30 species of flowering plants related to the phloxes and the gilias. This is one genus of plants, among others, which are sometimes called pincushionplants. The inflorescence which bears the flowers is surrou ...

'' - hoary pincushionplant *'' Navarretia filicaulis'' - threadstem pincushionplant *''

Navarretia fossalis ''Navarretia fossalis'' is a rare species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common name spreading navarretia. Distribution The plant is native to southern California and Baja California, where it is known only from vernally w ...

'' - vernal pool pincushionplant *'' Navarretia hamata'' - hooked pincushionplant *'' Navarretia heterandra'' - Tehama pincushionplant *''

Navarretia heterodoxa ''Navarretia heterodoxa'' is a species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common name Calistoga pincushionplant. It is endemic to the San Francisco Bay Area in California, where it grows in the serpentine soils of the hills and ...

'' - Calistoga pincushionplant *''

Navarretia intertexta ''Navarretia intertexta'' is a species of flowering plant in the family phlox, known by the common name needleleaf pincushionplant. It is native to western North America, including most of the western United States and extending into the Midwes ...

'' - needleleaf pincushionplant *'' Navarretia jaredii'' - mitrefruit pincushionplant *'' Navarretia jepsonii'' - Jepson's pincushionplant *'' Navarretia leptalea'' - Bridges' pincushionplant *''

Navarretia leucocephala ''Navarretia leucocephala'' is a species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common name whitehead pincushionplant, or whitehead navarretia. It is native to North America, including much of the western United States and central C ...

'' - whitehead pincushionplant, many-flowered pincushionplant *'' Navarretia mellita'' - honey-scented pincushionplant *'' Navarretia nigelliformis'' - adobe pincushionplant *''

Navarretia ojaiensis ''Navarretia ojaiensis'' is a rare species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common name Ojai navarretia. Distribution The plant is endemic to Southern California. It occurs in Ventura County, California, where it is known fro ...

'' - Ojai navarretia *'' Navarretia peninsularis'' - Baja pincushionplant *''

Navarretia prolifera ''Navarretia prolifera'' is a species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common names bur pincushionplant and yellow bur navarretia. It is endemic to the Sierra Nevada foothills of California, where it grows near running water. ...

'' - bur pincushionplant *''

Navarretia prostrata ''Navarretia prostrata'' is an uncommon species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common names prostrate pincushionplant and prostrate vernal pool navarretia. It is endemic to California. The plant has a scattered distribution ...

'' - prostrate pincushionplant *''

Navarretia pubescens ''Navarretia pubescens'' is a species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common name downy pincushionplant. It is native to the central mountain ranges and Central Valley of California, and to southern Oregon. It can be found i ...

'' - downy pincushionplant *'' Navarretia rosulata'' - San Anselmo pincushionplant *'' Navarretia setiloba'' - Piute Mountain pincushionplant *'' Navarretia sinistra'' - Alva Day's pincushionplant *''

Navarretia squarrosa ''Navarretia squarrosa'' (skunkbush, skunkweed, or California stinkweed) is a spreading annual plant from North America which is noted for its skunk-like odour. It grows to between 10 and 60 cm in height and has tubular lilac pink to deep bl ...

'' - skunkbush *'' Navarretia subuligera'' - awl-leaf pincushionplant *'' Navarretia tagetina'' - marigold pincushionplant *'' Navarretia viscidula'' - sticky pincushionplant

External links

Jepson Manual Treatment
{{Taxonbar, from=Q2621409 Polemoniaceae genera Flora of North America