Horkelia cuneata var. cuneata
Wedge leaved horkelia
(c) Don Loarie, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Don Loarie · licence
Family: Rosaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Horkelia cuneata var. cuneata (Wedge leaved horkelia) is a native California herb in the Rosaceae family, recognized by mixed glandular/non-glandular hairs and clustered flowers.
Wedge leaved horkelia is a California native perennial found in the Central Coast, southern Coastal Range, and southern Coastal regions in old dunes and coastal sandhills at elevations generally below 500 meters. Flowering from March to July, this plant produces white flowers in open clusters with few blossoms. Growing with dense, spreading glandular and non-glandular hairs, the plant forms low-spreading stems that create delicate, intricate clusters. Its leaves are cuneate (wedge-shaped), with finely divided leaflets that contribute to its distinctive appearance in coastal sandy habitats. The flower's filament base is notably narrow, measuring just 0.5 to 1 millimeter wide, which adds to its delicate botanical character.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; key features are mixed glandular/non-glandular hairs and clustered flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Old dunes, coastal sandhills
Elevation: generally < 500 m
California counties: Orange, Los Angeles, San Diego, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Riverside
Bloom period
Horkelia cuneata var. cuneata blooms Mar-Jul.
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 cuneata var. cuneata native to California?
Yes. Horkelia cuneata var. cuneata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Horkelia cuneata var. cuneata bloom?
Horkelia cuneata var. cuneata blooms Mar-Jul.
Where in California does Horkelia cuneata var. cuneata grow?
Horkelia cuneata var. cuneata occurs in Orange, Los Angeles, San Diego, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Riverside, at elevations of generally < 500 m.
What plant family does Horkelia cuneata var. cuneata belong to?
Horkelia cuneata var. cuneata is in the Rosaceae family, genus Horkelia.
What habitat does Horkelia cuneata var. cuneata grow in?
Horkelia cuneata var. cuneata grows in Old dunes, coastal sandhills.
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.