Cypselea humifusa
Panal
Pierre Jean François Turpin (via Wikimedia Commons) · CC0
Family: Aizoaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Cypselea humifusa (Panal) is a non-native California herb in the Aizoaceae family, recognized by Tropical American species, only Cypselea naturalized in California, represents unusual wetland habitat in Aizoaceae.
Panal is a naturalized perennial found in northern Coast Ranges, Great Valley, San Francisco Bay Area, southern Coast Ranges, and Peninsular Ranges in seasonally dry wetland margins at elevations below 1,500 meters. Flowering from July to October, this plant produces small greenish-white flowers approximately 2 millimeters in diameter with white-margined sepals. Growing in low-spreading mats less than 2 centimeters wide with slender, diffuse-branched stems, it forms delicate ground-covering formations. Its leaves grow in unequal pairs with blades 5 to 10 millimeters long, elliptic and obtuse, positioned alternately along slender stems. The tiny fruit is nearly spherical, approximately 1.5 millimeters in diameter with thin walls encasing a smooth, round-reniform brown seed.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Tropical American species, only Cypselea naturalized in California, represents unusual wetland habitat in Aizoaceae
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Seasonally dry margins of wetlands
Elevation: < 1500 m
California counties: Glenn, San Diego, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, Marin, Lake, Tehama, San Joaquin, Mendocino, San Mateo, Kings, Napa, Colusa, Calaveras, Amador, Butte, Contra Costa, Stanislaus
Outside California: to Nevada, southeastern United States, native to Caribbean, South America
Bloom period
Cypselea humifusa blooms Jul-Oct.
How to tell it apart
vs Tetragonia: Fringed stipules and 3 stamens vs. Tetragonia's flowers sitting atop fruit.; vs Trianthema: Fringed hair-like stipules vs. Trianthema's two simple teeth at leaf base.; vs Sesuvium: Only 3 stamens per flower vs. Sesuvium's 30 stamens.; vs Galenia: Opposite leaves vs. Galenia's alternate leaf arrangement.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cypselea humifusa native to California?
No. Cypselea humifusa is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Cypselea humifusa bloom?
Cypselea humifusa blooms Jul-Oct.
Where in California does Cypselea humifusa grow?
Cypselea humifusa occurs in Glenn, San Diego, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, Marin, Lake, Tehama, San Joaquin and other counties, at elevations of < 1500 m.
What plant family does Cypselea humifusa belong to?
Cypselea humifusa is in the Aizoaceae family, genus Cypselea.
What habitat does Cypselea humifusa grow in?
Cypselea humifusa grows in Uncommon. Seasonally dry margins of wetlands.
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.