Calyptridium parryi var. nevadense
Nevada pussypaws
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Montiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Calyptridium parryi var. nevadense (Nevada pussypaws) is a native California herb in the Montiaceae family, recognized by . Variety distinguished by sepal shape and margin characteristics.
Nevada pussypaws is a California native annual found in the eastern Sierra Nevada and desert mountains in mixed desert scrub and pinyon/juniper woodland at elevations of 1,500 to 2,990 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces delicate white to pink flowers with distinctive ovate to kidney-shaped sepals that have widely scarious (papery) margins. Growing in small, low-spreading clusters with thin stems, it forms compact ground-hugging formations. Its tiny leaves are small and somewhat fleshy, typical of desert-adapted plants. The diminutive seeds, measuring just 0.6 to 0.7 millimeters, feature marginal papillae that aid in dispersal.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species. Variety distinguished by sepal shape and margin characteristics.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Mixed desert scrub, pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: 1500-2990 m
California counties: Inyo, Mono
Outside California: western Nevada, Baja California
Bloom period
Calyptridium parryi var. nevadense blooms Apr-Jul.
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 var. nevadense native to California?
Yes. Calyptridium parryi var. nevadense is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Calyptridium parryi var. nevadense bloom?
Calyptridium parryi var. nevadense blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Calyptridium parryi var. nevadense grow?
Calyptridium parryi var. nevadense occurs in Inyo, Mono, at elevations of 1500-2990 m.
What plant family does Calyptridium parryi var. nevadense belong to?
Calyptridium parryi var. nevadense is in the Montiaceae family, genus Calyptridium.
What habitat does Calyptridium parryi var. nevadense grow in?
Calyptridium parryi var. nevadense grows in Mixed desert scrub, pinyon/juniper woodland.
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.