Heuchera abramsii
Abrams' alumroot
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Family: Saxifragaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Heuchera abramsii (Abrams' alumroot) is a native California herb in the Saxifragaceae family, recognized by clear size differences in plant height and leaf dimensions.
Abrams' alumroot is a rare California native perennial ranked 4.3 by CNPS, found in the southern Gabilan Mountains in dry, rocky areas at elevations of 2,800 to 3,500 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces small flowers with red-purple calyx lobes and white spoon-shaped petals. Growing with compact stems 5 to 15 centimeters tall, it forms a low-growing cluster in alpine environments. Its leaves are distinctively five-lobed, with blade-like sections typically less than 15 millimeters long, divided nearly halfway to the base. The delicate flowers feature unequal calyx lobes and petals with prominent claws, creating an intricate botanical structure in high-elevation rocky habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; clear size differences in plant height and leaf dimensions
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, rocky areas
Elevation: 2800-3500 m
Bloom period
Heuchera abramsii blooms Jul-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
How to tell it apart
vs Tellima: Heuchera has branched flower clusters; Tellima's flowers are in a simple unbranched spike; vs Tiarella: Heuchera's flower clusters branch repeatedly; Tiarella has a single bottlebrush-like spike; vs Antigonon: Heuchera has tiny 5-petaled flowers in airy clusters; Antigonon has showy pink heart-shaped sepals on vines; vs Pelargonium: Heuchera has tiny flowers in delicate branched clusters; Pelargonium has large showy flowers with spurred blooms; vs Ribes: Heuchera is herbaceous with basal leaves; Ribes is a woody shrub with maple-like leaves
Frequently asked questions
Is Heuchera abramsii native to California?
Yes. Heuchera abramsii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Heuchera abramsii bloom?
Heuchera abramsii blooms Jul-Aug.
What plant family does Heuchera abramsii belong to?
Heuchera abramsii is in the Saxifragaceae family, genus Heuchera.
Is Heuchera abramsii rare or endangered?
Heuchera abramsii carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3.
What habitat does Heuchera abramsii grow in?
Heuchera abramsii grows in Dry, rocky areas.
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.