Hydrophyllum fendleri var. albifrons
White waterleaf, White Waterleaf
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Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Hydrophyllum fendleri var. albifrons (White waterleaf) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by . Key features: glaucous leaf undersides, exserted stamens.
White waterleaf is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges on moist, shady, wooded slopes at elevations of 1,100 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces white to purple flowers in open spherical cymes that rise above the foliage. Growing 20 to 50 centimeters tall with ascending or erect stems, it develops from a short to long rhizome that appears overlapping and scaly from persistent leaf bases. Its leaves are pinnately lobed with 7 to 13 toothed or divided segments, the early leaves smaller and more compact while later leaves become larger and more broadly divided, with dense short hairs covering both leaf surfaces. The plant produces a distinctive fruit approximately 3 to 5 millimeters in diameter, containing 1 to 3 light or dark brown seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species. Key features: glaucous leaf undersides, exserted stamens
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist, shady, wooded slopes
Elevation: [300]1100-2000 m
California counties: Siskiyou, Humboldt, Trinity
Outside California: to British Columbia, Idaho
Bloom period
Hydrophyllum fendleri var. albifrons blooms May-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Phacelia: Hydrophyllum is a large perennial with stamens extending beyond petals; Phacelia is typically annual with included stamens.; vs Petasites: Hydrophyllum has leaves lobed to the midrib; Petasites has very large unlobed heart-shaped or kidney-shaped leaves.; vs Eucrypta: Hydrophyllum is a robust perennial; Eucrypta is a delicate sticky annual with much smaller flowers.; vs Emmenanthe: Hydrophyllum has stamens extending beyond spreading flowers; Emmenanthe has drooping bell flowers with included stamens.; vs Nama: Hydrophyllum is a large woodland perennial; Nama is a low mat-forming plant of dry sandy areas.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hydrophyllum fendleri var. albifrons native to California?
Yes. Hydrophyllum fendleri var. albifrons is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Hydrophyllum fendleri var. albifrons bloom?
Hydrophyllum fendleri var. albifrons blooms May-Sep.
Where in California does Hydrophyllum fendleri var. albifrons grow?
Hydrophyllum fendleri var. albifrons occurs in Siskiyou, Humboldt, Trinity, at elevations of [300]1100-2000 m.
What plant family does Hydrophyllum fendleri var. albifrons belong to?
Hydrophyllum fendleri var. albifrons is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Hydrophyllum.
What habitat does Hydrophyllum fendleri var. albifrons grow in?
Hydrophyllum fendleri var. albifrons grows in Moist, shady, wooded slopes.
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.