About Plagiobothrys canescens Benth.
Plagiobothrys canescens Benth. is a species of flowering plant in the borage family, commonly known as valley popcornflower. This plant is endemic to California, where it is a common wildflower found in valley, foothill, desert, coastline, and canyon habitats across the central and southern regions of the state. Plagiobothrys canescens is an annual herb that produces a spreading or erect stem that ranges from 10 to 60 centimeters in length. Its leaves are arranged in a basal rosette around the base of the stem, with smaller leaves growing along the length of the stem. The entire plant is covered in long, rough hairs, and sometimes also has bristles. Its tissues are purple-edged and purple-veined, and release purple juice when crushed. The inflorescence is made up of a series of tiny flowers paired with hairy bracts. Each flower has a five-lobed white corolla that measures 2 to 3 millimeters wide. The fruit it produces is a rounded, arched nutlet that is no more than 2 millimeters long, with a textured surface marked by cross-ribs.
