Limnanthes alba subsp. versicolor
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Limnanthaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Limnanthes alba subsp. versicolor is a native California herb in the Limnanthaceae family, recognized by glabrous herbage and cream petals drying lilac.
white meadowfoam is a California native annual found in the Klamath Ranges, northern California Ranges, and northern Sierra Nevada in winter-wet grasslands, woodlands, and along ephemeral streams at elevations of 150 to 2,100 meters. Flowering from May to June, this delicate plant produces cream-colored flowers with tips that dry to a lilac hue, measuring 12 to 15 millimeters across with recurved petals. Growing as a low-spreading herb with glabrous herbage, it forms delicate clusters close to the ground. Its leaves are smooth and unadorned, blending seamlessly with the moist, seasonal landscapes where it thrives. The small fruits are approximately 3.5 millimeters long, with surfaces that may appear either smooth or finely textured with sharp tubercles.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; key features are glabrous herbage and cream petals drying lilac
Habitat and range
Habitat: Winter-wet grassland, woodland, edges of vernal pools, ephemeral streams
Elevation: 150-2100 m
California counties: Tuolumne, Calaveras, El Dorado, Butte, Tehama, Shasta, Amador, Nevada, Placer
Bloom period
Limnanthes alba subsp. versicolor blooms May-Jun.
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. versicolor native to California?
Yes. Limnanthes alba subsp. versicolor is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Limnanthes alba subsp. versicolor bloom?
Limnanthes alba subsp. versicolor blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Limnanthes alba subsp. versicolor grow?
Limnanthes alba subsp. versicolor occurs in Tuolumne, Calaveras, El Dorado, Butte, Tehama, Shasta, Amador, Nevada and other counties, at elevations of 150-2100 m.
What plant family does Limnanthes alba subsp. versicolor belong to?
Limnanthes alba subsp. versicolor is in the Limnanthaceae family, genus Limnanthes.
What habitat does Limnanthes alba subsp. versicolor grow in?
Limnanthes alba subsp. versicolor grows in Winter-wet grassland, woodland, edges of vernal pools, ephemeral streams.
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.