Horkelia tularensis
Kern plateau horkelia, Kern Plateau Horkelia
(c) T. J. Samojedny, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Rosaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Horkelia tularensis (Kern plateau horkelia) is a native California herb in the Rosaceae family, recognized by . Key features: very low matted habit, leaflets deeply divided to base.
Kern plateau horkelia is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in southern Sierra Nevada Mountains near Bald Mountain in Tulare County on dry, rocky balds and flats at elevations of 2,350 to 2,850 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces white flowers in small clusters with 3 to 15 blossoms. Growing as a low-spreading, grayish plant less than 25 centimeters tall, it forms a distinctive mat-like growth habit with dense, compact stems. Its leaves are complex, with 4 to 6 leaflets on each side, each leaflet divided into 5 to 8 narrow, oblanceolate lobes and covered in dense hairs. The plant's compact, intricate structure and gray-green coloration help it blend into rocky, high-elevation mountain landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species. Key features: very low matted habit, leaflets deeply divided to base
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, rocky balds, flats
Elevation: 2350-2850 m
California counties: Tulare
Bloom period
Horkelia tularensis 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 tularensis native to California?
Yes. Horkelia tularensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Horkelia tularensis bloom?
Horkelia tularensis blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Horkelia tularensis grow?
Horkelia tularensis occurs in Tulare, at elevations of 2350-2850 m.
What plant family does Horkelia tularensis belong to?
Horkelia tularensis is in the Rosaceae family, genus Horkelia.
Is Horkelia tularensis rare or endangered?
Horkelia tularensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Horkelia wilderae — Barton flats horkelia
- Horkelia yadonii — Santa lucia horkelia
- Horkelia bolanderi — Bolander's horkelia
- Horkelia californica — California horkelia
- Horkelia californica var. californica — California horkelia
- Horkelia californica var. elata — California horkelia
- Horkeliella congdonis — Congdon's false horkelia
- Horkeliella purpurascens — Purple false horkelia
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.