Achlys californica
California deer foot
(c) John A Haskins, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Berberidaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Achlys californica (California deer foot) is a native California herb in the Berberidaceae family, recognized by rhizome internode length, plant height, and inflorescence size.
California deer foot is a native perennial found in northern coastal California, western Klamath Ranges, and western North Coast Ranges in moist, shaded conifer forests at elevations below 1,500 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces small white flowers in delicate inflorescences less than 4 centimeters long. Growing with slender rhizomatous stems 30 to 50 centimeters tall, it spreads through underground stem segments with internodes 9 to 10 centimeters apart. Its leaves are deeply divided, creating a distinctive lacy green foliage that provides ground cover in forest understories. The fruit is small, measuring 3.5 to 5 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; distinguished by rhizome internode length, plant height, and inflorescence size
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist, shaded sites, conifer forest
Elevation: < 1500 m
Outside California: to British Columbia
Bloom period
Achlys californica blooms Apr-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Petasites: Achlys has three fan-shaped leaflets; Petasites has large, single kidney-shaped or rounded leaves.; vs Berberis: Achlys is an herb with all leaves at ground level; Berberis is a woody shrub with leaves along branches.; vs Vancouveria: Achlys has fan-shaped leaflets and dense spike flowers; Vancouveria has heart-shaped leaflets and branching clusters of reflexed flowers.; vs Tidestromia: Achlys has three-parted compound leaves and spike flowers; Tidestromia has simple opposite leaves and inconspicuous axillary flowers.; vs Allotropa: Achlys has green leaves and white flower spikes; Allotropa is a leafless red-white saprophyte.
Frequently asked questions
Is Achlys californica native to California?
Yes. Achlys californica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Achlys californica bloom?
Achlys californica blooms Apr-Jun.
What plant family does Achlys californica belong to?
Achlys californica is in the Berberidaceae family, genus Achlys.
What habitat does Achlys californica grow in?
Achlys californica grows in Moist, shaded sites, conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
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.