(right) broad-leaved gilia
Aliciella latifolia ssp. latifolia
(formerly Gilia latifolia)
Polemoniaceae

(below) broad-flowered gilia
Gilia cana ssp. speciformis
Polemoniaceae

Thirty three native species of gilias (some no longer in the genus Gilia) grow in the US; all but two of these can only be found west of the Rockies. Broad-flowered gilia is found only in California and Nevada, while broad-leaved gilia can be found in those states plus Utah and Arizona. Both of these plants are annuals, consisting of a basal rosette of leaves and flowers on wispy stems just a few inches above the ground.  Both species are annuals.

As you can see, broad-leaved gilia really does have broad leaves, and tiny little dark pink flowers. Broad-flowered gilia has much smaller, deeply indented leaves and larger flowers, light purple with blue throats.

penny and thumbnail for scale