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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Nemophila maculata (Fivespot)
Miller, Holmes O.

Nemophila maculata

Nemophila maculata Benth. ex Lindl.

Fivespot

Hydrophyllaceae (Waterleaf Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: NEMA

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

This hairy, trailing annual reaches 12 in. in length. Delicate, showy, bell-shaped flowers grow in clusters at the tips of its branches. Each of the five petals are white, with a bluish to purple spot at the tip. Leaves are lobed and opposite.

Fivespot grows quickly and easily in cultivation, especially if given afternoon shade. It reseeds readily.

 

From the Image Gallery

14 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Stems erect to somewhat prostrate, up to about 1 foot long
Leaf: Green

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Blue , Purple
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: CA , OR , UT
Native Distribution: In CA, w. base of the Sierra Nevada from Plumas Co. to Kern Co.
Native Habitat: Moist slopes & flats below 7500 ft.

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Mesic to dry soils.
Conditions Comments: Five spot grows quickly and easily, especially if given afternoon shade. It reseeds readily.

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Propagation

Description: Where winters are relatively mild, sow seed in fall; otherwise sow in early spring.
Seed Treatment: No treatment may be necessary but for more uniform results, stratify for 2 months or germinate in cool temperatures (less than 70 degrees) and in darkness for the first 3 days.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Web Reference

Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) Calflora
Webref 37 - Calscape (2019) California Native Plant Society
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Nemophila maculata in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Nemophila maculata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Nemophila maculata

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-20
Research By: TWC Staff

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