Heuchera parvifolia
Littleleaf alumroot
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Saxifragaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Heuchera parvifolia (Littleleaf alumroot) is a native California herb in the Saxifragaceae family, recognized by distinctive cream-yellow flower color and small leaf size.
Littleleaf alumroot is a California native perennial found in the eastern Sierra Nevada, specifically in the Sweetwater and White Mountains, inhabiting rocky areas at elevations of 2,200 to 3,900 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces cream to pale yellow flowers with pink to green tips, arranged in dense clusters toward the plant tips. Growing 14 to 20 centimeters tall, occasionally reaching up to 75 centimeters, it develops with delicate, glandular-textured stems. Its distinctive rounded kidney-shaped leaves are small, typically 0.5 to 2 centimeters wide, with 5 to 9 shallow lobes and petioles ranging from 2.5 to 5 centimeters long. The tiny oblanceolate petals are spoon-shaped and measure 1.5 to 3 millimeters in length, creating a subtle, intricate floral display.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; distinctive cream-yellow flower color and small leaf size
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky areas
Elevation: 2200-3900 m
California counties: Mono, Inyo, Humboldt
Outside California: to Rocky Mountains
Bloom period
Heuchera parvifolia blooms May-Sep.
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 parvifolia native to California?
Yes. Heuchera parvifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Heuchera parvifolia bloom?
Heuchera parvifolia blooms May-Sep.
Where in California does Heuchera parvifolia grow?
Heuchera parvifolia occurs in Mono, Inyo, Humboldt, at elevations of 2200-3900 m.
What plant family does Heuchera parvifolia belong to?
Heuchera parvifolia is in the Saxifragaceae family, genus Heuchera.
What habitat does Heuchera parvifolia grow in?
Heuchera parvifolia grows in Rocky areas.
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.