Canyon Nemophila,  Nemophila heterophylla

Early bloomer.  Five small petals united in a bowl shape, weak stems.  Low plants often massed on grassy, shady slopes.  While distinct from popcorn flower, both have small white flowers and from a distance the flowers look very similar.  However, they can be distinguished from a distance because popcorn flowers grow on tall stems while canyon nemophila hugs the ground.

Notes:  Nemos from the Greek meaning wooded pasture or meadow, Phila from the Greek meaning lover of.  Our species is white to pale blue—related to Baby Blue Eyes.

Click on species name below to go to USDA for this plant

Kingdom Plantae -- Plants 
    Subkingdom Tracheobionta -- Vascular plants 
        Superdivision Spermatophyta -- Seed plants 
            Division Magnoliophyta -- Flowering plants 
                Class Magnoliopsida -- Dicotyledons 
                    Subclass Asteridae 
                        Order Solanales 
                            Family Hydrophyllaceae -- Waterleaf family 
                                Genus Nemophila Nutt. -- baby blue eyes 
                                    Species Nemophila heterophylla Fisch. & C.A. Mey.  
                                    -- small baby blue eyes 

Canyon Nemophila,  Nemophila heterophylla

Canyon Nemophila,  Nemophila heterophylla

Canyon Nemophila,  Nemophila heterophylla