Callitriche heterophylla var. heterophylla

Varied leaved water starwort

Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Varied leaved water starwort is a California native perennial found in northwestern, Great Valley, central western, and southwestern California in submerged habitats of lakes, pools, and streams at elevations below 2,000 meters. Flowering from April to July, this aquatic plant produces small, inconspicuous flowers in delicate rosettes that float on or near water surfaces. Growing with slender, branching stems that adapt to underwater and shoreline environments, it forms intricate clusters of fine, thread-like vegetation. Its leaves vary in shape, with submerged leaves typically linear and narrower, while floating leaves are broader and more rounded, creating a distinctive heteromorphic growth pattern. The fruit is tiny, measuring less than one millimeter long, contributing to the plant's subtle and delicate nature.

Habitat: Submerged, with floating rosettes or becoming stranded at edge of lake, pools, or streams

Bloom period: Apr-Jul

Elevation: < 2000 m

Bioregions: NW, GV, CW, SW

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.