Ivesia aperta var. aperta
Sierra valley ivesia, Sierra Valley Ivesia
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Rosaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Ivesia aperta var. aperta (Sierra valley ivesia) is a native California herb in the Rosaceae family, recognized by var. canina by cluster size and petal dimensions.
Sierra valley ivesia is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in northern Sierra Nevada (excluding Dog Valley) and southern Modoc Plateau in dry, rocky meadows on volcanic soils at elevations of 1,500 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces small, delicate white to cream-colored flowers approximately 4 to 6 millimeters wide with oblanceolate petals. Growing with generally ascending to erect stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it forms compact clusters with more than 10 flowers in each inflorescence. Its leaves are finely divided, creating a soft, feathery appearance typical of ivesia species, with small leaflets clustered along slender stems. The plant's compact growth and preference for rocky volcanic meadows make it a distinctive component of high-elevation Sierra Nevada and Modoc Plateau landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; distinguished from var. canina by cluster size and petal dimensions
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, rocky meadows, generally volcanic soils
Elevation: 1500-2300 m
California counties: Plumas, Sierra
Outside California: western Nevada
Bloom period
Ivesia aperta var. aperta blooms Jun-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Achillea: Ivesia has rose-like flowers with separate petals; Achillea has composite flower heads with ray and disk flowers.; vs Potentilla: Ivesia has cylindrical bottlebrush leaves with 4-80 tiny leaflets per side; Potentilla has flat leaves with spread-out leaflets.; vs Horkelia: Ivesia has cylindrical leaves with overlapping leaflets; Horkelia has flat leaves with 2-15 distinct, separated leaflets.; vs Eremogone: Ivesia has compound bottlebrush leaves; Eremogone has simple, needle-like or thread-like leaves.; vs Cryptantha: Ivesia has rose-family flowers with separate petals; Cryptantha has fused tubular corollas typical of borages.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ivesia aperta var. aperta native to California?
Yes. Ivesia aperta var. aperta is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ivesia aperta var. aperta bloom?
Ivesia aperta var. aperta blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Ivesia aperta var. aperta grow?
Ivesia aperta var. aperta occurs in Plumas, Sierra, at elevations of 1500-2300 m.
What plant family does Ivesia aperta var. aperta belong to?
Ivesia aperta var. aperta is in the Rosaceae family, genus Ivesia.
Is Ivesia aperta var. aperta rare or endangered?
Ivesia aperta var. aperta 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.