Fumaria officinalis
Fumitory, Fumitory
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Family: Papaveraceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Fumaria officinalis (Fumitory) is a non-native California herb in the Papaveraceae family, recognized by flower size, sepal size, and fruit characteristics.
Fumitory is a naturalized annual herb found in central and southwestern California in disturbed places at elevations below 1,000 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces purple flowers with dark purple tips, approximately 5 to 9 millimeters long. Growing with stems 10 to 70 centimeters tall, it spreads with ascending branches. Its delicate compound leaves are finely divided, giving the plant a lacy, feathery appearance. The fruit develops with a distinctive slightly depressed shape around the stigma.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; distinguished by flower size, sepal size, and fruit characteristics
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed places
Elevation: < 1000 m
Outside California: native to Europe
Bloom period
Fumaria officinalis blooms Apr-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Dicentra: Fumaria has lopsided one-spurred flowers; Dicentra has symmetrical two-pouched hearts.; vs Vicia: Fumaria has irregular tubular flowers; Vicia has pea-shaped flowers and tendrils.; vs Chaerophyllum: Fumaria has tubular flowers in clusters; Chaerophyllum has white umbels like parsley.; vs Corydalis: Fumaria has round single-seed nutlets; Corydalis has elongated multi-seed capsules.; vs Erodium: Fumaria has pouched tubular flowers; Erodium has flat 5-petaled flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fumaria officinalis native to California?
No. Fumaria officinalis is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Fumaria officinalis bloom?
Fumaria officinalis blooms Apr-Jul.
What plant family does Fumaria officinalis belong to?
Fumaria officinalis is in the Papaveraceae family, genus Fumaria.
What habitat does Fumaria officinalis grow in?
Fumaria officinalis grows in Disturbed places.
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.