Epilobium saximontanum
Glandular willowherb
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Family: Onagraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Epilobium saximontanum (Glandular willowherb) is a native California herb in the Onagraceae family, recognized by Only 2 sympatric species; underground bulblets and glandular upper stems distinctive.
Glandular willowherb is a California native perennial found in central Sierra Nevada and eastern Sierra Nevada in moist montane meadows, streambanks, and disturbed roadsides at elevations of 1,400 to 3,500 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces white to pink flowers in delicate clusters with distinctive club-like stigmas. Growing to less than 60 centimeters tall with erect stems that are strigose and glandular, the plant emerges from fleshy, scaly underground shoots. Its leaves are nearly sessile and clasping, ranging from 10 to 65 millimeters long, with narrow elliptic to slightly obovate shapes. The fruit is a slender, hairy capsule measuring 20 to 55 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Only 2 sympatric species; underground bulblets and glandular upper stems distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist montane meadows, streambanks, +- disturbed roadsides
Elevation: 1400-3500 m
Outside California: to southeastern Oregon, southwestern Canada (also eastern Can), Montana, New Mexico
Bloom period
Epilobium saximontanum blooms Jul-Sep.
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 saximontanum native to California?
Yes. Epilobium saximontanum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Epilobium saximontanum bloom?
Epilobium saximontanum blooms Jul-Sep.
What plant family does Epilobium saximontanum belong to?
Epilobium saximontanum is in the Onagraceae family, genus Epilobium.
What habitat does Epilobium saximontanum grow in?
Epilobium saximontanum grows in Moist montane meadows, streambanks, +- disturbed roadsides.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.