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Alva Day'S Pincushionplant

Navarretia sinistra

Last reviewed: August 2026

Alva Day'S Pincushionplant (Navarretia sinistra)
Photo: Aaron Liston / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

Toxicity unknown

Alva Day'S Pincushionplant (Navarretia sinistra) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

4"–12" H × 2"–6" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

CA, CO, NV, OR

Pollinators

bees

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 445 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Navarretia sinistra is a small annual wildflower that forms compact, low-growing clumps in spring and summer. It produces delicate blooms from May through July and requires minimal water once established. As an annual, it completes its lifecycle in one growing season and may self-seed in favorable conditions.

In an HOA neighborhood

Alva Day'S Pincushionplant takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

  • Very small size may appear sparse in maintained landscapes
  • Annual lifecycle creates gaps when plants die back
  • Native wildflower appearance may be perceived as weedy

Wildlife value

This plant provides nectar and pollen for native bees during its blooming period from late spring through summer.

Common questions

How much sun does Alva Day'S Pincushionplant need?
Alva Day'S Pincushionplant grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Alva Day'S Pincushionplant bloom?
Alva Day'S Pincushionplant blooms in May, June, and July.
Where is Alva Day'S Pincushionplant native?
Alva Day'S Pincushionplant (Navarretia sinistra) is native to CA, CO, NV, OR, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Alva Day'S Pincushionplant attract?
Alva Day'S Pincushionplant draws bees.
Is Alva Day'S Pincushionplant HOA-friendly?
Alva Day'S Pincushionplant takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

Ready to grow Alva Day'S Pincushionplant? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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