Star Wars Plant Names

Leucospora multifida was previously placed in the genus Conobea, hence its jocular common name Obi-Wan Conobea. It is native to the Midwest US and is a California Invasive Plant Council weed alert.

When more observations are found, they will be reflected in Calflora. Calflora aggregates data from many sources including iNaturalist and California Consortium of Herbaria.

Don Burk from Shasta CNPS found Leucospora multifida in Tehama County in September 2023 and added his observations to Calflora. The blue dots on Calflora's distribution map reflect this find. Since Calflora data are dynamic, if and when more is found, the map on this page will automatically update.

Small lavender to white flowers < 0.5cm

Leaves opposite in pairs or whorls, dissected and slightly toothed

Seeds small (0.3 mm)

and many

< 20 cm tall

Plants sticky and highly branched with dense, glandular hairs

Leucospora multifida occurs along gravel sand bars and in moist fields. It currently extends 25 miles along Thomes Creek to the Sacramento River. This summer annual is bright green with stems turning reddish with age.

Obi-Wan Kanobi was not an invader in Star Wars; common name Obi-Wan Conobea was documented where it is native. From the1994 edition of Plants of the Chicago Region "[this jocular] name... arises among field botanists working in humid, hot summer."

Shasta CNPS article

Quiz: Why are plants that have been introduced to California, such as Leucospora multifida (Obi-Wan Conobea), also part of the Calflora Database? Reply to this email with your response!

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