Engellaria obtusa
Obtuse starwort, rocky mountain starwort, Rocky Mountain Starwort
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Family: Caryophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Engellaria obtusa (Obtuse starwort) is a native California herb in the Caryophyllaceae family, recognized by Recently segregated from Stellaria, representing a distinct lineage within Caryophyllaceae with specialized rhizomatous growth form.
Obtuse starwort is a California native perennial herb found in northern Coast Ranges, Cascade Range, central Sierra Nevada Forest, northern and central Sierra Nevada High Country, and Modoc Plateau in moist woodland areas and shaded creek edges at elevations of 1,600 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from late spring to summer, this plant produces delicate white flowers in small axillary clusters with ascending pedicels. Growing prostrate with white rhizomes and generally glabrous stems 4 to 20 centimeters long, it forms low-spreading clusters in moist habitats. Its leaves are short-petioled, approximately ovate, 5 to 12 millimeters long, with acute margins that are ciliate near the base and have a single prominent vein. The fruit is a light green spherical capsule 2 to 3.5 millimeters long with six ascending to recurved valves.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Recently segregated from Stellaria, representing a distinct lineage within Caryophyllaceae with specialized rhizomatous growth form
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist areas in woodland, shaded edges of creeks
Elevation: 1600-2000 m
Outside California: to British Columbia, Montana, Colorado
Bloom period
Engellaria obtusa blooms Late spring-summer.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
Frequently asked questions
Is Engellaria obtusa native to California?
Yes. Engellaria obtusa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Engellaria obtusa bloom?
Engellaria obtusa blooms Late spring-summer.
What plant family does Engellaria obtusa belong to?
Engellaria obtusa is in the Caryophyllaceae family, genus Engellaria.
Is Engellaria obtusa rare or endangered?
Engellaria obtusa carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
What habitat does Engellaria obtusa grow in?
Engellaria obtusa grows in Moist areas in woodland, shaded edges of creeks.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.