Horkelia marinensis
Point reyes horkelia, Point Reyes Horkelia
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Family: Rosaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Horkelia marinensis (Point reyes horkelia) is a native California herb in the Rosaceae family, recognized by key diagnostic feature is strong resinous odor plus coastal sandy habitat.
Point reyes horkelia is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in central coastal California, including the Fort Bragg area and Point Reyes to Santa Cruz regions, in sandy coastal flats at elevations of 15 to 760 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces white to cream-colored flowers in small, dense clusters with 5 to 10 blooms. Growing with decumbent to ascending stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it forms a matted, grayish plant with a strong resinous odor. Its leaves are 4 to 10 centimeters long, featuring 5 to 10 leaflets on each side, which are wedge-shaped and toothed along the lower third to half of their surface. The plant has a distinctive dense, gray appearance with crowded leaflets and numerous pistils, creating a compact and intricate growth form.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; key diagnostic feature is strong resinous odor plus coastal sandy habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy coastal flats
Elevation: +- 15-760 m.
California counties: Mendocino, Marin, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, San Luis Obispo, Monterey
Bloom period
Horkelia marinensis blooms May-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 marinensis native to California?
Yes. Horkelia marinensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Horkelia marinensis bloom?
Horkelia marinensis blooms May-Sep.
Where in California does Horkelia marinensis grow?
Horkelia marinensis occurs in Mendocino, Marin, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, at elevations of +- 15-760 m..
What plant family does Horkelia marinensis belong to?
Horkelia marinensis is in the Rosaceae family, genus Horkelia.
Is Horkelia marinensis rare or endangered?
Horkelia marinensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
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.