Horkelia californica var. frondosa
California horkelia
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Family: Rosaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Horkelia californica var. frondosa (California horkelia) is a native California herb in the Rosaceae family, recognized by few but very large leaflets creating less divided leaves.
California horkelia is a California native perennial found in coastal California in coastal scrub, canyons, and poison-oak thickets at elevations of 10 to 400 meters. Flowering from May to October, this plant produces white flowers with delicate petals in clusters. Growing with erect stems 10 to 40 centimeters tall, it develops a spreading, leafy structure. Its compound leaves have 3 to 5 leaflets on each side, each leaflet 15 to 60 millimeters long with finely and evenly double-toothed edges. The terminal leaflet measures 20 to 90 millimeters, creating an intricate and textured foliage pattern.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; key features are few but very large leaflets creating less divided leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal scrub, canyons, poison-oak thickets
Elevation: 10-400 m
California counties: Santa Clara, Contra Costa, San Benito, San Mateo, Monterey, Alameda, Marin
Bloom period
Horkelia californica var. frondosa blooms May-Oct.
How to tell it apart
vs Drymocallis: Horkelia has exactly 10 stamens and white-pink flowers; Drymocallis has 20+ stamens and yellow-white flowers.; vs Erodium: Horkelia has pinnate leaves and rose-family flowers; Erodium has lobed/divided leaves and long-beaked fruits.; vs Phacelia: Horkelia has rose-family flowers with separate petals; Phacelia has bell-shaped fused corollas with protruding stamens.; vs Potentilla: Horkelia has exactly 10 stamens and flattened filaments; Potentilla has 20+ stamens and thread-like filaments.; vs Ivesia: Horkelia has flat leaves with 2-15 separated leaflets; Ivesia has cylindrical bottlebrush leaves with overlapping leaflets.
Frequently asked questions
Is Horkelia californica var. frondosa native to California?
Yes. Horkelia californica var. frondosa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Horkelia californica var. frondosa bloom?
Horkelia californica var. frondosa blooms May-Oct.
Where in California does Horkelia californica var. frondosa grow?
Horkelia californica var. frondosa occurs in Santa Clara, Contra Costa, San Benito, San Mateo, Monterey, Alameda, Marin, at elevations of 10-400 m.
What plant family does Horkelia californica var. frondosa belong to?
Horkelia californica var. frondosa is in the Rosaceae family, genus Horkelia.
What habitat does Horkelia californica var. frondosa grow in?
Horkelia californica var. frondosa grows in Coastal scrub, canyons, poison-oak thickets.
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.