Calyptridium parryi
Parry's pussypaws
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Montiaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Calyptridium parryi (Parry's pussypaws) is a native California annual in the Montiaceae family.
Parry's pussypaws is a California native annual found in rocky or sandy habitats at elevations up to 1,100 meters. Flowering from May to August, this delicate plant produces small white flowers in loose clusters 1 to 3.5 centimeters long. Growing with spreading to ascending stems 2 to 11 centimeters tall, it forms a slender taproot and leafy branching structure. Its leaves are both basal and along the stem, typically 1 to 3 centimeters long, with basal leaves often withering as the plant fruits. The tiny flowers have two to four unequal sepals and four white petals, creating a delicate, low-growing appearance characteristic of alpine and mountain environments.
Habitat and range
California counties: San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Fresno, Inyo
How to tell it apart
vs Eriogonum: Calyptridium has separate petals; Eriogonum flowers are in papery involucres with 6 petal-like tepals.; vs Cistanthe: Calyptridium has 2-4 petals and 1-3 stamens; Cistanthe consistently has 5 petals and 5-10 stamens.; vs Chorizanthe: Calyptridium has distinct petals; Chorizanthe has tubular flowers with papery bracts and no true petals.; vs Camissoniopsis: Calyptridium has 2-4 petals with few stamens; Camissoniopsis has 4 petals with 8 stamens.; vs Claytonia: Calyptridium has only 2-4 petals and dense ground-hugging clusters; Claytonia has 5 petals on upright stems.
Frequently asked questions
Is Calyptridium parryi native to California?
Yes. Calyptridium parryi is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Calyptridium parryi grow?
Calyptridium parryi occurs in San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Fresno, Inyo.
What plant family does Calyptridium parryi belong to?
Calyptridium parryi is in the Montiaceae family, genus Calyptridium.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Calyptridium parryi var. hesseae — Santa cruz mountains pussypaws
- Calyptridium parryi var. nevadense — Nevada pussypaws
- Calyptridium parryi var. parryi — Parry's pussypaws
- Calyptridium pulchellum — Mariposa pussypaws
- Calyptridium pygmaeum — Pygmy pussypaws
- Calyptridium quadripetalum — Four-petaled pussypaws
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.