Bergia texana
Texas bergia
(c) Michelle W. （鍾偉瑋）, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Elatinaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Bergia texana (Texas bergia) is a native California herb in the Elatinaceae family, recognized by Only species in family Elatinaceae in California, specialized for seasonally wet habitats.
Texas bergia is a California native perennial found in the Great Valley and Southern California coastal regions in moist, disturbed soils, sandbars along rivers, and margins of pools at elevations below 200 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces white to pale white flowers with acute sepals and green midveins. Growing with slender stems typically low to the ground, it forms compact clusters in wet environments. Its small leaves are arranged closely along the stems, creating a delicate ground-hugging appearance. The plant's thin, glabrous petals and scarious sepal margins distinguish it in its moist habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Only species in family Elatinaceae in California, specialized for seasonally wet habitats
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist, disturbed soils, sandbars along rivers, margins of pools
Elevation: < 200 m
California counties: Santa Barbara, Napa, Tulare, Kern, Riverside, Modoc, Lake, Stanislaus, Sutter, Butte, Colusa, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, El Dorado, Sacramento, Kings, Glenn, Lassen, Tehama, Fresno, Los Angeles, Merced, San Diego, Madera
Outside California: to eastern Washington, central and southern United States, northwestern Mexico
Bloom period
Bergia texana blooms Jul-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Elatine: Bergia feels sticky-hairy; Elatine is completely smooth and hairless.; vs Lythrum: Bergia has glandular sticky hairs all over; Lythrum is smooth or has simple hairs.; vs Chimaphila: Bergia is a tiny annual in wet places; Chimaphila is a woody perennial in dry forests.; vs Whipplea: Bergia has flowers tucked in leaf joints; Whipplea has flowers in terminal clusters.; vs Hypericum: Bergia has sticky glandular hairs; Hypericum is smooth with translucent leaf dots.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bergia texana native to California?
Yes. Bergia texana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Bergia texana bloom?
Bergia texana blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Bergia texana grow?
Bergia texana occurs in Santa Barbara, Napa, Tulare, Kern, Riverside, Modoc, Lake, Stanislaus and other counties, at elevations of < 200 m.
What plant family does Bergia texana belong to?
Bergia texana is in the Elatinaceae family, genus Bergia.
What habitat does Bergia texana grow in?
Bergia texana grows in Moist, disturbed soils, sandbars along rivers, margins of pools.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.