Cistanthe maritima
Seaside cistanthe, Seaside Cistanthe
(c) Alan Rockefeller, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alan Rockefeller · licence
Family: Montiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Cistanthe maritima (Seaside cistanthe) is a native California herb in the Montiaceae family, recognized by Recently segregated genus from Calandrinia; this species represents the genus's only member in California.
Seaside cistanthe is a native perennial found in southern California coastal regions including the Southern California Coast and Channel Islands in coastal scrub and sandy sea bluff habitats at elevations generally below 460 meters. Flowering from February to June, this plant produces fuchsia flowers 3 to 6 millimeters long with purple-veined sepals. Growing with spreading or ascending stems, it forms low-growing clumps with distinctive glaucous foliage. Its leaves are obovate to spoon-shaped, 1 to 6 centimeters long, flat and bluish-green in appearance. The plant produces numerous small seeds with short white hairs, giving it a delicate and intricate texture in its coastal environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Recently segregated genus from Calandrinia; this species represents the genus's only member in California
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal scrub, sandy soil, sea bluffs
Elevation: generally < 460 m
California counties: Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Diego
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Cistanthe maritima blooms (Dec) Feb-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
How to tell it apart
vs Calyptridium: Cistanthe always has 5 petals and 5-10 stamens; Calyptridium has only 2-4 petals and 1-3 stamens.; vs Calandrinia: Cistanthe grows only on immediate coast with yellow anthers; Calandrinia has red petals and wider distribution.; vs Portulaca: Cistanthe has 5 separate petals; Portulaca has fleshy cylindrical leaves and flowers opening only in sun.; vs Aeonium: Cistanthe is a small annual herb; Aeonium is a succulent shrub with thick rosettes of fleshy leaves.; vs Callirhoe: Cistanthe has 5-10 stamens with yellow anthers; Callirhoe has many stamens fused into a central column.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cistanthe maritima native to California?
Yes. Cistanthe maritima is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cistanthe maritima bloom?
Cistanthe maritima blooms (Dec) Feb-Jun.
Where in California does Cistanthe maritima grow?
Cistanthe maritima occurs in Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Diego, at elevations of generally < 460 m.
What plant family does Cistanthe maritima belong to?
Cistanthe maritima is in the Montiaceae family, genus Cistanthe.
Is Cistanthe maritima rare or endangered?
Cistanthe maritima carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S3.
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.