Horkelia parryi
Parry's horkelia
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Family: Rosaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Horkelia parryi (Parry's horkelia) is a native California herb in the Rosaceae family, recognized by no sympatric species.
Parry's horkelia is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in northern and central Sierra Nevada Foothills, especially in the Ione Formation, in open chaparral at elevations of 80 to 900 meters. Flowering from April to September, this plant produces white to cream flowers in small, open clusters with about 5 to 10 blooms. Growing with openly matted green stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it spreads in a loose, delicate pattern across its habitat. Its compound leaves feature 3 to 6 leaflets per side, each approximately 5 to 15 millimeters long, with obovate shape and 5 to 10 teeth along the upper half of each leaflet. The small fruit is approximately 1.5 millimeters long, contributing to this plant's delicate and intricate botanical profile.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; no sympatric species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open chaparral
Elevation: 80-900 m
California counties: Amador, Calaveras, Butte, El Dorado, Mariposa, Yuba, San Bernardino, Los Angeles
Bloom period
Horkelia parryi blooms Apr-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 parryi native to California?
Yes. Horkelia parryi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Horkelia parryi bloom?
Horkelia parryi blooms Apr-Sep.
Where in California does Horkelia parryi grow?
Horkelia parryi occurs in Amador, Calaveras, Butte, El Dorado, Mariposa, Yuba, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, at elevations of 80-900 m.
What plant family does Horkelia parryi belong to?
Horkelia parryi is in the Rosaceae family, genus Horkelia.
Is Horkelia parryi rare or endangered?
Horkelia parryi 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.