Abronia alpina
Ramshaw meadows abronia, Ramshaw Meadows abronia, Ramshaw Meadows abronia
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Nyctaginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Abronia alpina (Ramshaw meadows abronia) is a native California herb in the Nyctaginaceae family, recognized by No sympatric species - geographically isolated endemic.
Ramshaw meadows abronia is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in southern Sierra Nevada Mountains in dry, open, granitic meadows at elevations of 2,400 to 2,700 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces white to lavender-pink flowers in small clusters with perianth tubes 10 to 15 millimeters long. Growing in low mats less than 25 centimeters tall, it forms dense glandular-puberulent patches across meadow surfaces. Its leaves have rounded blades 4 to 9 millimeters long, supported by petioles 1 to 2 centimeters in length. The fruit is small, 3 to 5 millimeters long with distinctive 5-angled and net-veined characteristics.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: No sympatric species - geographically isolated endemic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, open, granitic meadows
Elevation: 2400-2700 m
California counties: Tulare
Bloom period
Abronia alpina blooms May-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
How to tell it apart
vs Lantana: Abronia flowers have no true petals (colorful sepals); Lantana has small tubular flowers with 4-5 petals.; vs Calystegia: Abronia has small flowers in dense rounded heads; Calystegia has large solitary funnel-shaped flowers.; vs Verbena: Abronia flowers are in dense rounded heads on trailing stems; Verbena has flowers in spikes.; vs Mirabilis: Abronia flowers lack the cup of fused bracts; Mirabilis has 5 bracts forming a cup around flowers.; vs Glandularia: Abronia has dense rounded flower heads and thick-winged fruits; Glandularia has spiked clusters and dry capsules.
Frequently asked questions
Is Abronia alpina native to California?
Yes. Abronia alpina is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Abronia alpina bloom?
Abronia alpina blooms May-Sep.
Where in California does Abronia alpina grow?
Abronia alpina occurs in Tulare, at elevations of 2400-2700 m.
What plant family does Abronia alpina belong to?
Abronia alpina is in the Nyctaginaceae family, genus Abronia.
Is Abronia alpina rare or endangered?
Abronia alpina carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.