Limnanthes alba subsp. parishii
Parish's meadowfoam
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Limnanthaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Limnanthes alba subsp. parishii (Parish's meadowfoam) is a native California herb in the Limnanthaceae family, recognized by no sympatric species.
Parish's meadowfoam is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in the Peninsular Ranges in wet meadows and along edges of ephemeral streams at elevations of 600 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces pure white flowers with cream-colored bases that delicately age to pink, with petals 8 to 10 millimeters long and tips elegantly recurved. Growing as a low-spreading annual with glabrous herbage, it forms compact clusters close to the ground. Its leaves are delicate and entire, complementing the pristine white flowers that emerge in spring. The small fruits are approximately 3 millimeters long, bearing short, wide tubercles that add subtle texture to the plant's appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; no sympatric species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet meadows, edges of ephemeral streams
Elevation: 600-2000 m
California counties: San Diego, Riverside
Bloom period
Limnanthes alba subsp. parishii blooms Apr-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Cerastium: Limnanthes has jagged petal tips and entire leaves; Cerastium has deeply notched petals.; vs Layia: Limnanthes has separate 4-5 petals in a simple flower; Layia is a composite with many ray flowers.; vs Sabulina: Limnanthes has pinnately divided fern-like leaves; Sabulina has simple narrow leaves.; vs Nemophila: Limnanthes has 4 petals with jagged tips; Nemophila has 5 petals with smooth edges.; vs Sidalcea: Limnanthes has 4-5 petals and pinnate leaves; Sidalcea has 5 petals and palmately lobed leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Limnanthes alba subsp. parishii native to California?
Yes. Limnanthes alba subsp. parishii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Limnanthes alba subsp. parishii bloom?
Limnanthes alba subsp. parishii blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Limnanthes alba subsp. parishii grow?
Limnanthes alba subsp. parishii occurs in San Diego, Riverside, at elevations of 600-2000 m.
What plant family does Limnanthes alba subsp. parishii belong to?
Limnanthes alba subsp. parishii is in the Limnanthaceae family, genus Limnanthes.
Is Limnanthes alba subsp. parishii rare or endangered?
Limnanthes alba subsp. parishii 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.