Ivesia lycopodioides var. lycopodioides
Clubmoss ivesia
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Rosaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Ivesia lycopodioides var. lycopodioides (Clubmoss ivesia) is a native California herb in the Rosaceae family, recognized by small petals and rounded lobes diagnostic.
Clubmoss ivesia is a California native perennial found in northern and central Sierra Nevada and northern Sierra Nevada Eastern regions in rocky areas at elevations of 3,000 to 4,000 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces small white to cream-colored flowers approximately 2 to 3 millimeters long with obovate petals. Growing with compact stems 3 to 15 centimeters tall, it forms dense, low-growing clusters characteristic of alpine environments. Its leaves are 1 to 7 centimeters long with tiny, nearly round lobes and minimal bristle tips, creating a delicate, moss-like appearance. The plant's compact form and high-elevation habitat make it well-adapted to harsh mountain terrain.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; small petals and rounded lobes diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky areas
Elevation: 3000-4000 m
California counties: Mono, Inyo, Tuolumne, Mariposa
Bloom period
Ivesia lycopodioides var. lycopodioides blooms Jul-Aug.
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 lycopodioides var. lycopodioides native to California?
Yes. Ivesia lycopodioides var. lycopodioides is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ivesia lycopodioides var. lycopodioides bloom?
Ivesia lycopodioides var. lycopodioides blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Ivesia lycopodioides var. lycopodioides grow?
Ivesia lycopodioides var. lycopodioides occurs in Mono, Inyo, Tuolumne, Mariposa, at elevations of 3000-4000 m.
What plant family does Ivesia lycopodioides var. lycopodioides belong to?
Ivesia lycopodioides var. lycopodioides is in the Rosaceae family, genus Ivesia.
What habitat does Ivesia lycopodioides var. lycopodioides grow in?
Ivesia lycopodioides var. lycopodioides grows in Rocky areas.
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.