Heuchera cylindrica
Alpine alumroot
(c) James H. Thomas, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Saxifragaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Heuchera cylindrica (Alpine alumroot) is a native California herb in the Saxifragaceae family, recognized by apetalous condition is distinctive.
Alpine alumroot is a California native perennial found in the Modoc Plateau in rocky banks and slopes at elevations of 1,400 to 3,000 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces cream-white to green flowers with pink-tipped calyx lobes in dense, spike-like inflorescences. Growing with stems 8.5 to 55 centimeters tall that are glandular to stiff-hairy, it forms compact clumps in rocky mountain terrain. Its leaves have petioles 1 to 9 centimeters long, with broadly ovate blades generally less than 3 centimeters wide, moderately 3 to 5-lobed, and typically truncate or slightly heart-shaped. The small, delicate flowers lack petals and feature stamens shorter than the calyx lobes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; apetalous condition is distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky banks, slopes
Elevation: 1400-3000 m
California counties: Tulare, Modoc, Mono, Siskiyou
Outside California: to Washington, Idaho, Nevada
Bloom period
Heuchera cylindrica blooms May-Aug.
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 cylindrica native to California?
Yes. Heuchera cylindrica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Heuchera cylindrica bloom?
Heuchera cylindrica blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Heuchera cylindrica grow?
Heuchera cylindrica occurs in Tulare, Modoc, Mono, Siskiyou, at elevations of 1400-3000 m.
What plant family does Heuchera cylindrica belong to?
Heuchera cylindrica is in the Saxifragaceae family, genus Heuchera.
What habitat does Heuchera cylindrica grow in?
Heuchera cylindrica grows in Rocky banks, slopes.
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.