Hartmaniella sierrae
Sierra starwort
(c) Adam J. Searcy, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Caryophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Hartmaniella sierrae (Sierra starwort) is a native California herb in the Caryophyllaceae family, recognized by Only Hartmaniella species in CA, recently separated from Stellaria based on root morphology and geographic distribution.
Sierra starwort is a rare (CNPS 4.2) California native perennial found in northern and central Sierra Nevada Mountains in meadows and dry understory of mixed oak or conifer forest at elevations of 1,400 to 2,000 meters. Flowering during summer, this plant produces white flowers with delicate, subtle petals. Growing 9 to 27 centimeters tall with ascending to erect stems that are simple or branched and round in cross-section, it develops distinctive rhizomes with fleshy, vertical roots that enlarge toward their tips. Its leaves measure 7 to 35 millimeters long, appearing relatively uniform in size with smooth margins and a thick texture. The plant's seed structures are 3 to 3.4 millimeters long, with flower pedicels that become distinctively bent downward when fruiting.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Only Hartmaniella species in CA, recently separated from Stellaria based on root morphology and geographic distribution
Habitat and range
Habitat: Meadows, dry understory of mixed oak or conifer forest
Elevation: 1400-2000 m
Bloom period
Hartmaniella sierrae blooms Summer.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
Frequently asked questions
Is Hartmaniella sierrae native to California?
Yes. Hartmaniella sierrae is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Hartmaniella sierrae bloom?
Hartmaniella sierrae blooms Summer.
What plant family does Hartmaniella sierrae belong to?
Hartmaniella sierrae is in the Caryophyllaceae family, genus Hartmaniella.
Is Hartmaniella sierrae rare or endangered?
Hartmaniella sierrae carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S3S4.
What habitat does Hartmaniella sierrae grow in?
Hartmaniella sierrae grows in Meadows, dry understory of mixed oak or conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.