Canbya candida
White pygmy-poppy, White Pygmy-Poppy
(c) Justin Paulin, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Justin Paulin · licence
Family: Papaveraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Canbya candida (White pygmy-poppy) is a native California herb in the Papaveraceae family, recognized by Small genus of diminutive desert annuals with limited distribution in southwestern North America.
White pygmy-poppy is a California native annual found in western Mojave Desert and adjacent Sierra Nevada regions in sandy places at elevations of 600 to 1,350 meters. Flowering from April to May, this delicate plant produces white flowers small and compact, closing tightly over its developing fruit. Growing as a tiny tufted plant only 10 to 30 millimeters tall with an almost smooth surface, it forms dense clusters close to the ground. Its leaves are small, fleshy, and generally 5 to 9 millimeters long, adapting perfectly to its arid desert habitat. The tiny flower petals measure 3 to 4 millimeters and carefully fold over the developing fruit, protecting its diminutive seeds measuring just 0.6 millimeters.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Small genus of diminutive desert annuals with limited distribution in southwestern North America
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy places
Elevation: 600-1350 m
California counties: Kern, Inyo, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, San Joaquin
Bloom period
Canbya candida blooms Apr-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
How to tell it apart
vs Hesperomecon: Canbya is completely hairless with fleshy leaves; Hesperomecon has bristly hairs.; vs Platystemon: Canbya is smooth and hairless; Platystemon is covered in long soft hairs.; vs Meconella: Canbya has stalkless fleshy leaves; Meconella has spoon-shaped leaves on stalks.
Frequently asked questions
Is Canbya candida native to California?
Yes. Canbya candida is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Canbya candida bloom?
Canbya candida blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Canbya candida grow?
Canbya candida occurs in Kern, Inyo, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, San Joaquin, at elevations of 600-1350 m.
What plant family does Canbya candida belong to?
Canbya candida is in the Papaveraceae family, genus Canbya.
Is Canbya candida rare or endangered?
Canbya candida carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S3S4.
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.