California Native Annual Wildflower
Five Spot
Nemophila maculata
A distinctive California native annual with white flowers marked by five bold violet-purple spots
Five Spot is a uniquely California wildflower known for its unmistakable five-petaled blooms. Each pale white to lavender-white flower displays a deep violet-purple mark near the outer edge of every petal, creating the five distinctive spots behind its common name. This compact annual is an excellent choice for California native wildflower mixes, naturalized spring displays and pollinator-oriented plantings.
Wildflower Characteristics
Why Plant Five Spot?
Five Spot combines an unmistakable flower pattern, California-native identity and a compact growth habit that adds detail to diverse wildflower plantings.
Distinctive Five Spots
Each five-petaled flower carries a dark violet-purple mark near the end of every petal, creating its signature appearance.
California Endemic
Five Spot occurs naturally only in California, giving it particular value for California-focused native wildflower plantings.
Pollinator Interest
Open spring flowers add additional floral diversity for bees and other visiting insects within mixed native plantings.
Lower Growing Habit
Its compact growth adds a lower flowering layer beneath taller California annual wildflowers.
Where It Fits
Best Uses for Five Spot
Five Spot is particularly useful where a recognizable California annual is desired to add lower-growing spring color and unusual flower detail.
Establishment & Management
Growing Five Spot
Five Spot follows California's cool-season annual growth cycle and performs best when small seed is established near the soil surface with adequate seasonal moisture.
California Planting Window
Fall planting is well suited to mild-winter California locations, allowing seasonal rainfall to support germination and establishment ahead of spring bloom.
Planting
Sow shallowly into a prepared seedbed with good seed-to-soil contact. Avoid deeply burying small wildflower seed.
Site Selection
Five Spot is naturally associated with California slopes, grasslands, foothill woodland and mountain forest communities.
Natural Reseeding
Allow plants to complete their annual cycle and mature seed where natural reseeding is desired. Mowing before seed maturity will reduce future volunteer stands.
California Endemic
A Wildflower Found Naturally Only in California
Five Spot has an especially strong California identity. Nemophila maculata is endemic to the state and occurs naturally in several California plant communities. Its distinctive five violet-purple petal markings make it both botanically recognizable and visually different from most other annual wildflowers.
Looking for Five Spot Seed?
Contact Weaver Seed for current availability, quantities, packaging or help incorporating Five Spot into a California native, pollinator or custom wildflower mixture.
Contact Weaver Seed