Plagiobothrys nothofulvus is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae known by the common names rusty popcornflower and foothill snowdrops.

It is a spring wildflower in grassy meadows, woodlands, coastal sage scrub, and wetland-riparian habitats.

The inflorescence is a series of tiny five-lobed white flowers each 3 to 9 millimeters wide.

The fruit is a rounded nutlet with a pointed tip about 2 millimeters long and borne singly, in pairs or triplets which are solidly attached to each other.

Populations have been reported as far south as Baja California, Mexico and north to the Columbia River Gorge.

It can also be found in woodlands, coastal sage scrub, and wetland-riparian habitats and are often associated with serpentine or plutonic soils.

Other species that commonly grow in similar grassland habitats and are often associated with Plagiobothrys nothofulvus include Aster chilensis, Lotus angustissimus, Plantago lanceolata, Galium parisiense, Brodiaea terrestris, and other native herbs.

The scientific name of the rusty popcorn flower, Plagiobothrys nothofulvus, describes some of its key characteristics.

Plagiobothrys refers to a sideways pit formed by the position of the nutlet attachment scar.

Bees and butterflies are the main pollinators transferring the haploid microgametophyte, or pollen grain, to the pistil.

The major threat to Plagiobothry nothofulvus is habitat loss by the transformation of its historical range to agricultural land.

The loss of seasonal wetlands by habitat degradation and changing climate as well as the introduction of invasive species also pose large threats to the rusty popcorn flower.

Effects of harvester ants on plant species distribution and abundance in a serpentine grassland.

Vegetation classification and mapping of Peoria Wildlife Area, south of New Melones Lake, Tuolumne County, California.

Draft Recovery Plan for the Rough Popcorn Flower (Plagiobothrys hirtus).