Fumaria parviflora
Fine leaved fumitory
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Family: Papaveraceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Fumaria parviflora (Fine leaved fumitory) is a non-native California herb in the Papaveraceae family, recognized by small flower size, branching pattern, and pedicel-bract relationship.
Fine leaved fumitory is a naturalized annual found in the central and southern California Coast Ranges in disturbed places at elevations below 1,000 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces delicate white to pink flowers with purple-tipped inner petals. Growing 10 to 60 centimeters tall with much-branched stems, it spreads easily in disturbed landscapes. Its finely divided leaves are characteristic of the fumitory family, creating a soft, feathery appearance. The fruit develops with a distinctive keeled shape, supporting the plant's successful spread in modified habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; distinguished by small flower size, branching pattern, and pedicel-bract relationship
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed places
Elevation: < 1000 m
Outside California: central Texas, native to Europe
Bloom period
Fumaria parviflora blooms Mar-May.
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 parviflora native to California?
No. Fumaria parviflora is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Fumaria parviflora bloom?
Fumaria parviflora blooms Mar-May.
What plant family does Fumaria parviflora belong to?
Fumaria parviflora is in the Papaveraceae family, genus Fumaria.
What habitat does Fumaria parviflora grow in?
Fumaria parviflora grows in Disturbed places.
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.