Legenere limosa
Legenere, Legenere
(c) Adam J. Searcy, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Campanulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Legenere limosa (Legenere) is a native California herb in the Campanulaceae family, recognized by California endemic genus; highly specialized for vernal pool habitats with cleistogamous flowers.
Legenere is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in southern North Coast Ranges, southern Sacramento Valley, northern San Joaquin Valley, and San Francisco Bay Area in wet areas, vernal pools, and ponds at elevations below 950 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces white flowers with distinctive two-lipped corollas on zigzag terminal racemes. Growing 10 to 30 centimeters long with reclining stems and erect, slender lateral branches, it has a delicate emergent habit. Its early-deciduous cauline leaves are narrowly triangular and entirely sessile, emerging from the fleshy stems. The fruit is a cylindric capsule 6 to 10 millimeters long with a rounded top, containing shiny chestnut-brown seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: California endemic genus; highly specialized for vernal pool habitats with cleistogamous flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet areas, vernal pools, ponds
Elevation: < 950 m
California counties: Tehama, Solano, Sacramento, Lake, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Napa, Monterey, Alameda, Placer, San Joaquin, Yuba
Bloom period
Legenere limosa blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
How to tell it apart
vs Nemacladus: Nemacladus grows in dry deserts; Legenere grows in wet areas with white or absent petals.; vs Porterella: Porterella has blue flowers with yellow ridges on lower lip; Legenere has white flowers with smooth lower lip.; vs Lobelia: Lobelia has blue flowers with ridged lower lips; Legenere has white or absent petals with smooth lips.; vs Downingia: Downingia has colorful blue/purple flowers with white-and-yellow patterned lips; Legenere has plain white or no petals.; vs Howellia: Howellia is aquatic with tiny flowers; Legenere grows in vernal pools with white flowers or no petals.
Frequently asked questions
Is Legenere limosa native to California?
Yes. Legenere limosa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Legenere limosa bloom?
Legenere limosa blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Legenere limosa grow?
Legenere limosa occurs in Tehama, Solano, Sacramento, Lake, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Sonoma, Stanislaus and other counties, at elevations of < 950 m.
What plant family does Legenere limosa belong to?
Legenere limosa is in the Campanulaceae family, genus Legenere.
Is Legenere limosa rare or endangered?
Legenere limosa carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, 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.