Androsace elongata subsp. acuta
California androsace, California Androsace, California androsace
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Family: Primulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Androsace elongata subsp. acuta (California androsace) is a native California herb in the Primulaceae family, recognized by habitat elevation, leaf shape, and calyx characteristics.
California androsace is a native annual herb found in northern California regions including the California Range, southern Sierra Nevada foothills, Central Valley, San Francisco Bay Area, southern coastal regions, western Transverse Ranges, and Peninsular Ranges in dry grassy slopes at elevations below 1,200 meters. Flowering from February to April, this delicate plant produces small white flowers on thin peduncles with clusters emerging from hairy stems. Growing just 2 to 8 centimeters tall with fine, spreading branches, it forms compact clusters close to the ground. Its narrow lance-linear leaves measure 5 to 20 millimeters long, with finely toothed edges and delicate ciliate margins. Each flower features a hairy calyx with reddish-tipped awl-like lobes, creating a subtle contrast against its white petals.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; distinguished by habitat elevation, leaf shape, and calyx characteristics
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry grassy slopes
Elevation: < 1200 m
California counties: Kern, San Luis Obispo, Fresno, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, San Benito, San Bernardino, San Diego, Siskiyou, Santa Clara, Tulare, Alameda, Riverside, Ventura, San Joaquin, Glenn, Colusa, Tehama, Monterey, Stanislaus, Merced
Outside California: Oregon, Nevada, Baja California
Bloom period
Androsace elongata subsp. acuta blooms Feb-Apr.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
How to tell it apart
vs Pelargonium: Androsace has tiny white flowers (petals 1-3mm) in umbels; Pelargonium has much larger showy flowers in various colors.; vs Primula: Androsace petals face upward (1-3mm long); Primula petals reflex dramatically backward (much larger).
Frequently asked questions
Is Androsace elongata subsp. acuta native to California?
Yes. Androsace elongata subsp. acuta is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Androsace elongata subsp. acuta bloom?
Androsace elongata subsp. acuta blooms Feb-Apr.
Where in California does Androsace elongata subsp. acuta grow?
Androsace elongata subsp. acuta occurs in Kern, San Luis Obispo, Fresno, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, San Benito, San Bernardino, San Diego and other counties, at elevations of < 1200 m.
What plant family does Androsace elongata subsp. acuta belong to?
Androsace elongata subsp. acuta is in the Primulaceae family, genus Androsace.
Is Androsace elongata subsp. acuta rare or endangered?
Androsace elongata subsp. acuta carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S3S4.
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.