Limnanthes bakeri
Baker's meadowfoam
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Limnanthaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Limnanthes bakeri (Baker's meadowfoam) is a native California herb in the Limnanthaceae family, recognized by distinctive pale yellow petals with white tips.
Baker's meadowfoam is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in central North Coast Ranges near Willits, Mendocino County in vernal pools and marshy lake and stream margins at elevations below 500 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces pale yellow flowers with white tips in funnel- to bell-shaped blooms, reflexing outward when forming fruit. Growing 10 to 40 centimeters tall with erect or ascending stems that are entirely glabrous, it forms delicate upright clusters. Its leaves feature 3 to 9 elliptic to ovate leaflets typically less than 10 centimeters long, with lower leaflets occasionally showing 2 to 3 lobes. The fruit develops dense, short, and wide tubercles that characterize this distinctive meadowfoam species.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; distinctive pale yellow petals with white tips
Habitat and range
Habitat: Vernal pools, marshy lake and stream margins
Elevation: < 500 m
Bloom period
Limnanthes bakeri blooms Apr-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 bakeri native to California?
Yes. Limnanthes bakeri is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Limnanthes bakeri bloom?
Limnanthes bakeri blooms Apr-May.
What plant family does Limnanthes bakeri belong to?
Limnanthes bakeri is in the Limnanthaceae family, genus Limnanthes.
Is Limnanthes bakeri rare or endangered?
Limnanthes bakeri carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Limnanthes bakeri grow in?
Limnanthes bakeri grows in Vernal pools, marshy lake and stream margins.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.