Cycladenia humilis var. humilis
Cycladenia
Photo: parent species Cycladenia humilis · no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Apocynaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Cycladenia humilis var. humilis (Cycladenia) is a native California herb in the Apocynaceae family, recognized by distinguished primarily by corolla lobe size and hairiness.
Cycladenia is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, northern Sierra Nevada, and Santa Lucia Mountains in loose gravel or talus slopes at elevations of 1,200 to 2,800 meters. Flowering from April to August, this plant produces pale pink to white flowers with delicate corolla lobes 7 to 9 millimeters long. Growing with a generally glabrous and glaucous appearance, it forms compact stems with a distinctive bluish-green coloration. Its leaves are simple and narrow, blending with the plant's smooth, pale surface. The plant's ability to thrive in rocky, gravelly terrain makes it a remarkable adaptation to challenging mountain environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; distinguished primarily by corolla lobe size and hairiness
Habitat and range
Habitat: Loose gravel or sand, talus slopes, often with
Elevation: 1200-2800 m
California counties: Tehama, San Bernardino, Siskiyou, Butte, Plumas, Sierra, Shasta, Colusa, Lake, Monterey, Lassen, Humboldt, Glenn, Del Norte, Trinity
Bloom period
Cycladenia humilis var. humilis blooms Apr-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Diplacus: Cycladenia has thick waxy opposite leaves and trumpet flowers with five equal lobes; Diplacus has thin leaves and two-lipped snapdragon flowers.; vs Mirabilis: Cycladenia has fleshy waxy leaves and tubular flowers with five petals; Mirabilis has thin leaves and petalless flowers with colored sepals.; vs Koenigia: Cycladenia has large showy trumpet flowers and opposite leaves; Koenigia has tiny flowers and alternate leaves.; vs Vinca: Cycladenia has thick succulent leaves and grows upright; Vinca has thin glossy leaves and trails on ground.; vs Amsonia: Cycladenia has thick waxy opposite leaves; Amsonia has thin alternate leaves spiraling up stem.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cycladenia humilis var. humilis native to California?
Yes. Cycladenia humilis var. humilis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cycladenia humilis var. humilis bloom?
Cycladenia humilis var. humilis blooms Apr-Aug.
Where in California does Cycladenia humilis var. humilis grow?
Cycladenia humilis var. humilis occurs in Tehama, San Bernardino, Siskiyou, Butte, Plumas, Sierra, Shasta, Colusa and other counties, at elevations of 1200-2800 m.
What plant family does Cycladenia humilis var. humilis belong to?
Cycladenia humilis var. humilis is in the Apocynaceae family, genus Cycladenia.
What habitat does Cycladenia humilis var. humilis grow in?
Cycladenia humilis var. humilis grows in Loose gravel or sand, talus slopes, often with.
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.