Eremogone ursina
Bear valley sandwort, Bear Valley Sandwort
Scott Eliason (via Wikimedia Commons) · CC0
Family: Caryophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2 · Threatened
Eremogone ursina (Bear valley sandwort) is a native California herb in the Caryophyllaceae family, recognized by very small flowers.
Bear valley sandwort is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in the eastern San Bernardino Mountains in Bear Valley, growing in rocky soil within pinyon and juniper woodland at elevations of 1,950 to 2,100 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces white flowers in small, open clusters with delicate petals 2 to 4.5 millimeters long. Growing as a tufted green herb with stems 10 to 18 centimeters tall, often covered in glandular hairs that give a slightly shiny appearance. Its leaves are narrow and sharp-pointed, measuring 5 to 10 millimeters long and only 0.5 to 1 millimeter wide, with a single prominent vein. The fruit produces dark purple seeds that are nearly spherical, approximately 2.2 to 2.5 millimeters long with low, rounded tubercles.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species, distinguished by very small flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky soil, pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: 1950-2100 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Fresno
Bloom period
Eremogone ursina blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2 · Threatened
How to tell it apart
vs Sabulina: Eremogone has rigid, spine-tipped needle leaves in dense cushions; Sabulina has softer, narrower leaves more scattered on stems.; vs Minuartia: Eremogone cushions have spine-tipped needles that prick; Minuartia has softer, more flexible narrow leaves.; vs Ivesia: Eremogone has simple needle leaves in cushions; Ivesia has compound, fern-like leaves in rosettes.; vs Hesperolinon: Eremogone forms cushions of sharp needle leaves; Hesperolinon is upright with scattered narrow leaves.; vs Linanthus: Eremogone has dense needle-leaf cushions; Linanthus has palmate-divided leaves like tiny hands.
Frequently asked questions
Is Eremogone ursina native to California?
Yes. Eremogone ursina is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eremogone ursina bloom?
Eremogone ursina blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Eremogone ursina grow?
Eremogone ursina occurs in San Bernardino, Fresno, at elevations of 1950-2100 m.
What plant family does Eremogone ursina belong to?
Eremogone ursina is in the Caryophyllaceae family, genus Eremogone.
Is Eremogone ursina rare or endangered?
Eremogone ursina carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Eremogone aculeata — Prickly sandwort
- Eremogone cliftonii — Clifton's eremogone
- Eremogone congesta — Ballhead sandwort
- Eremogone congesta var. charlestonensis — Charleston sandwort
- Eremogone congesta var. congesta — Capitate sandwort
- Eremogone congesta var. crassula — Rough sandwort
- Gypsophila elegans — Showy baby's-breath
- Gypsophila paniculata — Baby's-breath
- Gypsophila scorzonerifolia — Glandular baby's-breath
- Gypsophila sp. — Baby's-breath
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · 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.