Calyptridium pygmaeum
Pygmy pussypaws
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Montiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Calyptridium pygmaeum (Pygmy pussypaws) is a native California herb in the Montiaceae family, recognized by . Distinguished by small size, smooth seeds, and persistent flowers.
Pygmy pussypaws is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in central Sierra Nevada and San Bernardin Mountains in conifer forests with sandy to gravelly soils at elevations of 2,100 to 3,200 meters. Flowering from June to July, this delicate plant produces white flowers 2 to 3 millimeters long in small, dense axillary clusters. Growing extremely small, typically 0.5 to 8 centimeters tall, with spreading to erect leafy stems and a slender taproot or fibrous root system. Its leaves are both basal and along the stem, persistent even after flowering, measuring 5 to 15 millimeters long and generally remaining with the plant through fruit production. The tiny fruit is 3 to 5 millimeters long, containing 15 to 30 shiny seeds, each less than half a millimeter in size.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species. Distinguished by small size, smooth seeds, and persistent flowers.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy to gravelly soils, conifer forest
Elevation: 2100-3200 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo
Bloom period
Calyptridium pygmaeum blooms Jun-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 pygmaeum native to California?
Yes. Calyptridium pygmaeum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Calyptridium pygmaeum bloom?
Calyptridium pygmaeum blooms Jun-Jul.
Where in California does Calyptridium pygmaeum grow?
Calyptridium pygmaeum occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, at elevations of 2100-3200 m.
What plant family does Calyptridium pygmaeum belong to?
Calyptridium pygmaeum is in the Montiaceae family, genus Calyptridium.
Is Calyptridium pygmaeum rare or endangered?
Calyptridium pygmaeum carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1S2.
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.