Cistanthe sp.
Family: Montiaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Cistanthe sp. is a native California perennial in the Montiaceae family.
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 sp. native to California?
Yes. Cistanthe sp. is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Cistanthe sp. belong to?
Cistanthe sp. is in the Montiaceae family, genus Cistanthe.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.