Fendlerella utahensis
Yerba desierto, Yerba Desierto
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Family: Hydrangeaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Fendlerella utahensis (Yerba desierto) is a native California shrub in the Hydrangeaceae family, recognized by Small genus primarily distributed in the southwestern US, reaching its western range limit in California.
Yerba desierto is a native shrub found in the Inyo Mountains and desert mountain ranges of California in limestone soils, cliffs, rock crevices, and pinyon-juniper woodlands at elevations of 1,300 to 2,800 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces delicate white to pale petals 3 to 4 millimeters long in small clusters. Growing with compact stems that reach up to one meter tall, it forms a dense and intricate shrub with woody base. Its leaves are small and narrow, measuring 8 to 16 millimeters long and 3 to 6 millimeters wide, with an ovate to elliptic shape and entire margins that are slightly rolled under. The plant produces fruits approximately 4 millimeters long with tiny seeds around 2 millimeters in size.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Small genus primarily distributed in the southwestern US, reaching its western range limit in California
Habitat and range
Habitat: Limestone soils, cliffs, rock crevices, slopes, pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: 1300-2800 m
California counties: Inyo, San Bernardino
Outside California: to Colorado, northern Mexico
Bloom period
Fendlerella utahensis blooms May-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
How to tell it apart
vs Whipplea: Fendlerella grows upright while Whipplea creeps flat along the ground.; vs Carpenteria: Fendlerella has tiny leaves under 16mm while Carpenteria has large leathery evergreen leaves.; vs Philadelphus: Fendlerella leaves are extremely narrow (3-6mm wide) versus Philadelphus's broader three-veined leaves.; vs Jamesia: Fendlerella has tiny flowers under 8mm while Jamesia has large fragrant flowers over 1cm.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fendlerella utahensis native to California?
Yes. Fendlerella utahensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Fendlerella utahensis bloom?
Fendlerella utahensis blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Fendlerella utahensis grow?
Fendlerella utahensis occurs in Inyo, San Bernardino, at elevations of 1300-2800 m.
What plant family does Fendlerella utahensis belong to?
Fendlerella utahensis is in the Hydrangeaceae family, genus Fendlerella.
Is Fendlerella utahensis rare or endangered?
Fendlerella utahensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.