Jamesia americana var. rosea
Rosy-petalled cliffbush
(c) Andrey Zharkikh, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Hydrangeaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Jamesia americana var. rosea (Rosy-petalled cliffbush) is a native California shrub in the Hydrangeaceae family, recognized by Genus primarily of Rocky Mountains; disjunct populations in California mountains.
Rosy-petalled cliffbush is a California native shrub found in central Sierra Nevada, White and Inyo Mountains, and northern Desert Mountains including Panamint and Grapevine Mountains on rocky slopes and cliffs at elevations of 2,070 to 3,700 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces delicate pink flowers 1.2 to 1.5 centimeters wide with a subtle fragrance. Growing as a compact shrub less than one meter tall with generally gray bark, it has an intricate branching structure. Its leaves are small, with blades 1.5 to 4 centimeters long and 1 to 2 centimeters wide, carried on short petioles 2 to 6 millimeters in length. The fruit is a distinctive conic shape measuring 1 to 1.3 centimeters long, containing fusiform brown seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Genus primarily of Rocky Mountains; disjunct populations in California mountains
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky slopes, cliffs
Elevation: 2070-3700 m
California counties: Inyo, Fresno, Tulare, Mono
Outside California: western Nevada (Sheep Range, Spring Mountains)
Bloom period
Jamesia americana var. rosea blooms Jul-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
How to tell it apart
vs Fendlerella: Jamesia has large flowers over 1cm with 10 stamens; Fendlerella has tiny flowers under 8mm.; vs Whipplea: Jamesia grows upright in desert mountains; Whipplea creeps flat in coastal forests.; vs Carpenteria: Jamesia has exactly 10 stamens; Carpenteria has numerous (>20) stamens.; vs Philadelphus: Jamesia has 10 stamens in two distinct rings; Philadelphus has >20 equal-length stamens.; vs Ribes: Jamesia leaves are simple and opposite; Ribes has palmately lobed alternate leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jamesia americana var. rosea native to California?
Yes. Jamesia americana var. rosea is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Jamesia americana var. rosea bloom?
Jamesia americana var. rosea blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Jamesia americana var. rosea grow?
Jamesia americana var. rosea occurs in Inyo, Fresno, Tulare, Mono, at elevations of 2070-3700 m.
What plant family does Jamesia americana var. rosea belong to?
Jamesia americana var. rosea is in the Hydrangeaceae family, genus Jamesia.
Is Jamesia americana var. rosea rare or endangered?
Jamesia americana var. rosea carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
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.