Chimaphila menziesii
Little prince's pine
(c) birdspaz, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Ericaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Chimaphila menziesii (Little prince's pine) is a native California subshrub in the Ericaceae family, recognized by . Key differences: stem height, leaf size, vein coloration, initial flower color.
Little prince's pine is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, high Cascade Range, northern Sierra Nevada foothills, Sierra Nevada, southern Coast Ranges, San Gabriel Mountains, San Bernardino Mountains, Peninsular Ranges, and Modoc Plateau in montane conifer forest at elevations of 1,000 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces delicate white flowers that gradually turn pink, with distinctive white-bordered leaf veins. Growing with slender stems less than 15 centimeters tall, it spreads in small, compact clusters. Its leaves are typically 1 to 3 centimeters long, arranged in clusters at each node, with edges that may be toothed or smooth. The plant's flowers feature filaments with a distinctive hairy base, adding to its subtle woodland charm.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species. Key differences: stem height, leaf size, vein coloration, initial flower color
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Montane conifer forest
Elevation: 1000-2500 m
California counties: Humboldt, Fresno, Tulare, Monterey, Trinity, San Diego, Butte, El Dorado, Los Angeles, Shasta, Riverside, San Bernardino, Siskiyou, Sierra, Plumas, Lake, Lassen, Nevada, Modoc, Del Norte, Glenn, Kern, Tehama, Mendocino, Placer, Tuolumne, Napa, Colusa, Santa Clara
Outside California: to British Columbia, Montana
Bloom period
Chimaphila menziesii blooms Jun-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Pyrola: Chimaphila has thick whorled stem leaves; Pyrola has thin leaves clustered at base only.; vs Moneses: Chimaphila has multiple flowers in flat-topped clusters; Moneses has a single nodding flower per stem.; vs Orthilia: Chimaphila flowers cluster flat-topped; Orthilia flowers line one side of curved stalk.; vs Lythrum: Chimaphila has thick evergreen leaves in whorls; Lythrum has thin opposite leaves on tall spikes.; vs Whipplea: Chimaphila has whorled leaves and nodding flowers; Whipplea has opposite leaves and upright flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chimaphila menziesii native to California?
Yes. Chimaphila menziesii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chimaphila menziesii bloom?
Chimaphila menziesii blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Chimaphila menziesii grow?
Chimaphila menziesii occurs in Humboldt, Fresno, Tulare, Monterey, Trinity, San Diego, Butte, El Dorado and other counties, at elevations of 1000-2500 m.
What plant family does Chimaphila menziesii belong to?
Chimaphila menziesii is in the Ericaceae family, genus Chimaphila.
What habitat does Chimaphila menziesii grow in?
Chimaphila menziesii grows in Uncommon. Montane conifer forest.
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.