Lilaeopsis occidentalis
Lilaeopsis
(c) Nicolás Lavandero, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Apiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lilaeopsis occidentalis (Lilaeopsis) is a native California herb in the Apiaceae family, recognized by . Key differences include larger overall size, longer peduncles (5-65 mm vs 2-20 mm), and more oil tubes per interval.
Lilaeopsis is a California native perennial found in northern coastal, Shasta Valley, and central coastal bioregions in salty or brackish soil at elevations below 765 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces small white flowers on delicate peduncles. Growing in dense tufts with linear leaves 2.5 to 30 centimeters long, it forms compact clusters in coastal wetland environments. Its leaves are slender and grass-like, emerging in tight bundles with a delicate, tapered structure. The fruit is small and elliptic, with 6 to 9 oil tubes along its marginal ribs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species. Key differences include larger overall size, longer peduncles (5-65 mm vs 2-20 mm), and more oil tubes per interval.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Salty or brackish soil, especially coastal
Elevation: < 765 m
California counties: Sonoma, Siskiyou, Humboldt, Del Norte, Mendocino, Marin
Outside California: to British Columbia
Bloom period
Lilaeopsis occidentalis blooms Jun-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Bowlesia: Lilaeopsis has simple grass-like leaves; Bowlesia has rounded, lobed leaves covered in fuzzy hairs.; vs Sanicula: Lilaeopsis has simple hollow grass-like leaves; Sanicula has palmately divided compound leaves.; vs Eryngium: Lilaeopsis forms low mats with grass-like leaves; Eryngium has spiky thistle-like flower heads.; vs Juncus: Lilaeopsis leaves have visible cross-partitions as raised lines; rush leaves lack these external divisions.; vs Subularia: Lilaeopsis leaves are soft and squishy; awlwort leaves are firm and rigid.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lilaeopsis occidentalis native to California?
Yes. Lilaeopsis occidentalis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lilaeopsis occidentalis bloom?
Lilaeopsis occidentalis blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Lilaeopsis occidentalis grow?
Lilaeopsis occidentalis occurs in Sonoma, Siskiyou, Humboldt, Del Norte, Mendocino, Marin, at elevations of < 765 m.
What plant family does Lilaeopsis occidentalis belong to?
Lilaeopsis occidentalis is in the Apiaceae family, genus Lilaeopsis.
What habitat does Lilaeopsis occidentalis grow in?
Lilaeopsis occidentalis grows in Salty or brackish soil, especially coastal.
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.