Cleomella plocasperma
Twisted cleomella
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Family: Cleomaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Cleomella plocasperma (Twisted cleomella) is a native California herb in the Cleomaceae family, recognized by larger size and distal branching pattern.
Twisted cleomella is a California native annual found in northeastern San Bernardino Mountains, Great Basin (excluding Warner and White & Inyo Mountains), and Mojave Desert regions in wet, alkaline meadows and greasewood flats at elevations of 875 to 1,710 meters. Flowering from May to October, this plant produces delicate white to pale yellow flowers 3.5 to 7 millimeters long arranged in elongated racemes. Growing 10 to 55 centimeters tall with branched stems that emerge from upper nodes, it has a slender and smooth growth habit. Its leaves feature 15 to 45 millimeter linear-elliptic leaflets that provide a fine, delicate texture to the plant. The fruit develops as a small capsule 4 to 5 millimeters long with slightly hemispheric to horn-shaped valves, adding architectural interest to this distinctive annual.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 12 sympatric species; larger size and distal branching pattern
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet, alkaline meadows, greasewood flats, near thermal springs
Elevation: 875-1710 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Lassen, Inyo, Mono
Outside California: to Oregon, Idaho, Utah
Bloom period
Cleomella plocasperma blooms May-Oct.
How to tell it apart
vs Physaria: Physaria has inflated bladder-like pods and 4 petals; Cleomella has small flat round capsules and variable petals.; vs Astragalus: Astragalus has compound leaves and pea-shaped flowers; Cleomella has palmately divided leaves and regular flowers.; vs Sesbania: Sesbania has pinnately compound leaves and large pea flowers; Cleomella has palmate leaves and small regular flowers.; vs Atriplex: Atriplex has tiny greenish flowers and simple leaves; Cleomella has showy flowers and palmately divided leaves.; vs Isocoma: Isocoma has yellow composite flower heads; Cleomella has individual flowers with separate petals and prominent stamens.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cleomella plocasperma native to California?
Yes. Cleomella plocasperma is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cleomella plocasperma bloom?
Cleomella plocasperma blooms May-Oct.
Where in California does Cleomella plocasperma grow?
Cleomella plocasperma occurs in San Bernardino, Lassen, Inyo, Mono, at elevations of 875-1710 m.
What plant family does Cleomella plocasperma belong to?
Cleomella plocasperma is in the Cleomaceae family, genus Cleomella.
What habitat does Cleomella plocasperma grow in?
Cleomella plocasperma grows in Wet, alkaline meadows, greasewood flats, near thermal springs.
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.