Horkelia hispidula
White mountains horkelia, White Mountains Horkelia
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jim Morefield · licence
Family: Rosaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Horkelia hispidula (White mountains horkelia) is a native California herb in the Rosaceae family, recognized by no sympatric species.
White mountains horkelia is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in northern White Mountains in dry flats at elevations of 3,000 to 3,400 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces white flowers in small clusters of 3 to 15 blooms, with petals 3 to 5 millimeters long. Growing in a matted form with stems less than 25 centimeters tall and generally grayish in appearance, it forms dense, compact clusters. Its leaves are complex, with 10 to 14 leaflets on each side, each leaflet divided nearly to the base into 3 to 7 narrow, oblanceolate lobes. The plant's compact, intricate structure allows it to thrive in the harsh, high-elevation environment of the White Mountains.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; no sympatric species
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry flats
Elevation: 3000-3400 m
California counties: Mono, Inyo
Outside California: Nevada
Bloom period
Horkelia hispidula blooms Jun-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
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 hispidula native to California?
Yes. Horkelia hispidula is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Horkelia hispidula bloom?
Horkelia hispidula blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Horkelia hispidula grow?
Horkelia hispidula occurs in Mono, Inyo, at elevations of 3000-3400 m.
What plant family does Horkelia hispidula belong to?
Horkelia hispidula is in the Rosaceae family, genus Horkelia.
Is Horkelia hispidula rare or endangered?
Horkelia hispidula carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.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.