Bolandra californica
Sierra bolandra, Sierra Bolandra
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Saxifragaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Bolandra californica (Sierra bolandra) is a native California herb in the Saxifragaceae family, recognized by California endemic genus restricted to Sierra Nevada granite cliffs.
Sierra bolandra is a California native perennial ranked 4.3 by CNPS, found in northern and central Sierra Nevada Mountains from El Dorado to Mariposa counties, inhabiting rock crevices and wet cliffs at elevations of 1,000 to 3,000 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces distinctive green flowers with purple margins, approximately 4 to 7 millimeters long with narrowly triangular petals. Growing 15 to 60 centimeters tall with delicate stems, it develops a compact, crevice-dwelling habit. Its leaves feature petioles 3 to 10 centimeters long with blades 1 to 5 centimeters wide, displaying an adaptation to rocky alpine environments. The resulting seeds are brown and minutely textured, reflecting the plant's specialized habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: California endemic genus restricted to Sierra Nevada granite cliffs
Habitat and range
Habitat: rock crevices, wet cliffs
Elevation: 1000-3000 m
California counties: Mariposa, Tuolumne, Alpine, Madera, El Dorado, Calaveras, Amador
Bloom period
Bolandra californica blooms May-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
How to tell it apart
vs Heuchera: Bolandra has superior ovary and triangular petals; Heuchera has inferior ovary and tiny cup-shaped flowers.; vs Pectiantia: Bolandra ovary sits above petals; Pectiantia ovary is sunken into flower cup.; vs Mitellastra: Bolandra has triangular long-tapered petals; Mitellastra has thread-like or pinnately lobed petals.; vs Ozomelis: Bolandra has superior ovary and bulblets on caudex; Ozomelis has inferior ovary and no bulblets.; vs Hemieva: Bolandra has superior ovary visible above petals; Hemieva has inferior ovary buried in flower cup.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bolandra californica native to California?
Yes. Bolandra californica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Bolandra californica bloom?
Bolandra californica blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Bolandra californica grow?
Bolandra californica occurs in Mariposa, Tuolumne, Alpine, Madera, El Dorado, Calaveras, Amador, at elevations of 1000-3000 m.
What plant family does Bolandra californica belong to?
Bolandra californica is in the Saxifragaceae family, genus Bolandra.
Is Bolandra californica rare or endangered?
Bolandra californica carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
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.