Heuchera caespitosa
Urn-flowered alumroot
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Saxifragaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Heuchera caespitosa (Urn-flowered alumroot) is a native California herb in the Saxifragaceae family, recognized by green-tipped calyx lobes somewhat distinctive.
Urn-flowered alumroot is a California native perennial with a CNPS rank of 4.3, found in southern Sierra Nevada, southern Coast Ranges, and Transverse Ranges in rocky areas at elevations of 1,900 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces pink-red flowers with green tips in delicate, narrow inflorescences. Growing 10 to 36 centimeters tall with slender stems, it forms low, clustered clumps. Its rounded to kidney-shaped leaves are shallowly five-lobed, with petioles 1 to 6 centimeters long and blades 15 to 40 millimeters wide. The flower petals are oblanceolate to spoon-shaped, creating distinctive urn-like clusters characteristic of its common name.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; green-tipped calyx lobes somewhat distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky areas
Elevation: 1900-2300 m
California counties: Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Kern, San Bernardino, Tulare, Riverside, Mariposa
Bloom period
Heuchera caespitosa blooms May-Jul.
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 caespitosa native to California?
Yes. Heuchera caespitosa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Heuchera caespitosa bloom?
Heuchera caespitosa blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Heuchera caespitosa grow?
Heuchera caespitosa occurs in Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Kern, San Bernardino, Tulare, Riverside, Mariposa, at elevations of 1900-2300 m.
What plant family does Heuchera caespitosa belong to?
Heuchera caespitosa is in the Saxifragaceae family, genus Heuchera.
Is Heuchera caespitosa rare or endangered?
Heuchera caespitosa carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3.
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.