Calyptridium pulchellum
Mariposa pussypaws
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Montiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Threatened
Calyptridium pulchellum (Mariposa pussypaws) is a native California herb in the Montiaceae family, recognized by . Distinguished by fibrous roots, rose petals, and smooth seeds.
Mariposa pussypaws is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in central Sierra Nevada Mountains in Mariposa, Madera, and northern Fresno counties, growing in sandy soils, chaparral, and oak woodlands at elevations of 400 to 1,100 meters. Flowering from April to May, this diminutive plant produces delicate rose-colored petals in small, head-like clusters with tiny flowers about 3 millimeters long. Growing as a low, spreading plant 2 to 7 centimeters tall with fibrous roots, it forms a compact rosette of leaves with ascending to spreading stems. Its leaves are small, ranging from 0.5 to 2 centimeters in a basal rosette, with additional smaller cauline leaves along the stem. Its tiny fruit is ovoid or round, measuring 1.5 to 2.5 millimeters long and containing one to three shiny seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species. Distinguished by fibrous roots, rose petals, and smooth seeds.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy soils, decomposed granite or metamorphic rocks, chaparral, gray pine, oak woodland
Elevation: 400-1100 m
California counties: Madera, Mariposa, Fresno
Bloom period
Calyptridium pulchellum blooms Apr-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1 · Threatened
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 pulchellum native to California?
Yes. Calyptridium pulchellum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Calyptridium pulchellum bloom?
Calyptridium pulchellum blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Calyptridium pulchellum grow?
Calyptridium pulchellum occurs in Madera, Mariposa, Fresno, at elevations of 400-1100 m.
What plant family does Calyptridium pulchellum belong to?
Calyptridium pulchellum is in the Montiaceae family, genus Calyptridium.
Is Calyptridium pulchellum rare or endangered?
Calyptridium pulchellum carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
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.