Epilobium glaberrimum
Glaucous willow herb
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Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Epilobium glaberrimum (Glaucous willow herb) is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by Glabrous, glaucous willowherb; sessile clasping leaves; club-shaped stigma.
Glaucous willow herb is a California native perennial found in various mountain ranges and alpine regions at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 3,500 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces delicate pink to rose-purple (occasionally white) flowers with a broadly club-like stigma. Growing with ascending stems 20 to 50 centimeters tall, it forms clumped clusters with short, scaly stolons and appears glaucous and nearly hairless. Its leaves are narrowly lanceolate to narrowly ovate, clasping the stem and appearing nearly sessile. The fruit is occasionally sparsely hairy, with seeds featuring a distinctive papillate texture.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Glabrous, glaucous willowherb; sessile clasping leaves; club-shaped stigma.
Habitat and range
California counties: Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Siskiyou, Riverside, Fresno, Mono, Mariposa, Ventura, Tulare, Inyo, Placer, Shasta, Butte, Plumas, Trinity, Humboldt, Del Norte, Mendocino, Sierra, El Dorado, Madera, Nevada, Alpine, Santa Barbara, Kern, Tuolumne, Modoc
How to tell it apart
vs Penstemon: Epilobium has 4 notched petals and opposite leaves; Penstemon has 5-lobed tubular flowers (snapdragon family).; vs Gambelia: Epilobium has 4 notched petals; Gambelia has 5-lobed tubular snapdragon-like flowers.; vs Fuchsia: Epilobium has notched petals spreading flat; Fuchsia has dangling tubular flowers with protruding stamens.; vs Keckiella: Epilobium has 4 notched petals; Keckiella has 5-lobed tubular snapdragon-like flowers.; vs Diplacus: Epilobium has 4 notched petals; Diplacus has 5-lobed tubular monkey flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Epilobium glaberrimum native to California?
Yes. Epilobium glaberrimum is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Epilobium glaberrimum grow?
Epilobium glaberrimum occurs in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Siskiyou, Riverside, Fresno, Mono, Mariposa, Ventura and other counties.
What plant family does Epilobium glaberrimum belong to?
Epilobium glaberrimum is in the Onagraceae family, genus Epilobium.
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.