Hydrophyllum tenuipes
Pacific waterleaf, Slenderfoot Waterleaf, Pacific Waterleaf
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Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Hydrophyllum tenuipes (Pacific waterleaf) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by . Key features: loose inflorescence, narrow linear calyx lobes.
Pacific waterleaf is a California native perennial found in northern coastal, Klamath Ranges, and northern coastal ranges in moist, shaded wooded slopes and streambanks at elevations from sea level to 1,800 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces white to cream-colored flowers in loose, spherical clusters, occasionally with hints of green or purple markings. Growing 20 to 60 centimeters tall with ascending to erect stems that are short-hairy or long-hairy, it develops from a long rhizome with overlapping scaly bases. Its compound leaves are distinctive, with 5 to 7 deeply toothed lobes, ranging from ovate to round in shape, and varying from 5 to 20 centimeters wide with long petioles. The plant produces small fruits 3 to 5 millimeters in diameter, containing one to three yellow or red-brown seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species. Key features: loose inflorescence, narrow linear calyx lobes
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist, shaded, wooded slopes, streambanks
Elevation: 0-1800 m
Outside California: to British Columbia
Bloom period
Hydrophyllum tenuipes blooms Apr-Jul.
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 tenuipes native to California?
Yes. Hydrophyllum tenuipes is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Hydrophyllum tenuipes bloom?
Hydrophyllum tenuipes blooms Apr-Jul.
What plant family does Hydrophyllum tenuipes belong to?
Hydrophyllum tenuipes is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Hydrophyllum.
What habitat does Hydrophyllum tenuipes grow in?
Hydrophyllum tenuipes grows in Moist, shaded, wooded slopes, streambanks.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Hydrophyllum alpestre — Alpine breeches
- Hydrophyllum fendleri var. albifrons — White waterleaf
- Hydrophyllum occidentale — Western waterleaf
- Hydrophyllum sp. — Waterleaf
- Nemophila breviflora — Great basin nemophila
- Nemophila heterophylla — Canyon nemophila
- Nemophila maculata — Fivespot
- Nemophila menziesii — Baby blue-eyes
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.