Darmera peltata
Indian rhubarb
(c) J. Roe, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by J. Roe · licence
Family: Saxifragaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Darmera peltata (Indian rhubarb) is a native California herb in the Saxifragaceae family, recognized by Monotypic genus endemic to California and southern Oregon, distinctive member of saxifrage family adapted to streamside habitats.
Indian rhubarb is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, Cascade Range, northern Sierra Nevada Foothills, and Sierra Nevada in rocky streambanks at elevations below 2,000 meters. Flowering from April to September, this plant produces white to pink flowers in flat-topped clusters that emerge before its leaves. Growing with large basal stems 30 to 150 centimeters tall, it develops a fleshy, scaly rhizome. Its distinctive peltate leaves are massive, over 10 centimeters wide, roughly round with deep lobes and irregular teeth. The plant produces two-chambered follicle fruits 8 to 12 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Monotypic genus endemic to California and southern Oregon, distinctive member of saxifrage family adapted to streamside habitats
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky streambanks
Elevation: < 2000 m
California counties: Siskiyou, Butte, Mariposa, Plumas, Placer, Trinity, Tuolumne, Fresno, Shasta, Sierra, Madera, Tulare, Humboldt, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Mendocino, Nevada, Merced, Tehama, Yuba
Outside California: southwestern Oregon
Bloom period
Darmera peltata blooms Apr-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Acanthus: Umbrella plant leaves are round, shield-like; bear's breech has deeply divided, spiny-toothed leaves.; vs Gunnera: Darmera has smooth-edged round leaves; giant rhubarb has jagged-edged lobed leaves and spiny leaf stalks.; vs Petasites: Darmera blooms in spring before leaves; coltsfoot blooms after leaves emerge and has white woolly leaf undersides.; vs Heracleum: Darmera has simple round leaves; cow parsnip has compound leaves with 3 large lobed leaflets.; vs Boykinia: Darmera leaves are over 10 inches wide; brookfoam leaves are smaller (under 4 inches) and kidney-shaped.
Frequently asked questions
Is Darmera peltata native to California?
Yes. Darmera peltata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Darmera peltata bloom?
Darmera peltata blooms Apr-Sep.
Where in California does Darmera peltata grow?
Darmera peltata occurs in Siskiyou, Butte, Mariposa, Plumas, Placer, Trinity, Tuolumne, Fresno and other counties, at elevations of < 2000 m.
What plant family does Darmera peltata belong to?
Darmera peltata is in the Saxifragaceae family, genus Darmera.
What habitat does Darmera peltata grow in?
Darmera peltata grows in Rocky streambanks.
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.