Arenaria lanuginosa var. saxosa
Rock sandwort, spreading sandwort, Spreading Sandwort, rock sandwort, rock sandwort
(c) Tony Rebelo, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Tony Rebelo · licence
Family: Caryophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Arenaria lanuginosa var. saxosa (Rock sandwort) is a native California herb in the Caryophyllaceae family, recognized by . Perennial with tufted/trailing stems, distinctive habitat.
Rock sandwort is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native perennial found in the San Bernardino Mountains and Peninsular Ranges in moist, sandy soil along streams at elevations of 1,800 to 2,600 meters. Flowering from spring to summer, this plant produces white flowers with delicate petals 1.5 to 3.5 millimeters long. Growing with trailing or tufted green stems 10 to 40 centimeters long, it features minute down-curved hairs arranged in lines along the rounded stems. Its leaves are narrowly lanceolate to oblanceolate, 8 to 22 millimeters long and 2 to 6 millimeters wide, with a single prominent vein. The plant produces small dark brown seeds that are approximately 0.7 to 0.8 millimeters round and slightly compressed.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 0 sympatric species - geographically isolated. Perennial with tufted/trailing stems, distinctive habitat.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist, sandy soil along streams
Elevation: 1800-2600 m
California counties: San Bernardino
Outside California: to Colorado, Texas, Mexico
Bloom period
Arenaria lanuginosa var. saxosa blooms Spring-summer.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.3
How to tell it apart
vs Calidris: Arenaria is a small flowering plant; Calidris is a shorebird (sandpiper).; vs Actitis: Arenaria is a small flowering plant; Actitis is a shorebird (sandpiper).; vs Larus: Arenaria is a small flowering plant; Larus is a gull.; vs Pluvialis: Arenaria is a small flowering plant; Pluvialis is a shorebird (plover).; vs Charadrius: Arenaria is a small flowering plant; Charadrius is a shorebird (plover).
Frequently asked questions
Is Arenaria lanuginosa var. saxosa native to California?
Yes. Arenaria lanuginosa var. saxosa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arenaria lanuginosa var. saxosa bloom?
Arenaria lanuginosa var. saxosa blooms Spring-summer.
Where in California does Arenaria lanuginosa var. saxosa grow?
Arenaria lanuginosa var. saxosa occurs in San Bernardino, at elevations of 1800-2600 m.
What plant family does Arenaria lanuginosa var. saxosa belong to?
Arenaria lanuginosa var. saxosa is in the Caryophyllaceae family, genus Arenaria.
Is Arenaria lanuginosa var. saxosa rare or endangered?
Arenaria lanuginosa var. saxosa carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, 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.