Limnanthes douglasii subsp. striata
Photo: parent species Limnanthes douglasii · no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Limnanthaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Limnanthes douglasii subsp. striata is a native California annual in the Limnanthaceae family, recognized by funnel-shaped flowers with dark-veined petals.
Douglas's meadowfoam is a California native annual found in the Klamath Ranges and northern and central Sierra Nevada Foothills in vernal pools and stream edges at elevations below 800 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces white flowers with green-yellow bases and dark veins, creating delicate funnel-shaped blossoms. Growing low to the ground with slender stems, it forms compact clusters in wet seasonal habitats. Its leaves are composed of linear to ovate leaflets that may be entire, toothed, or occasionally divided into two to three lobes. The fruit develops into smooth or slightly wrinkled mericarps that persist after the delicate white flowers fade.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; funnel-shaped flowers with dark-veined petals
Habitat and range
Habitat: Vernal pools, stream edges
Elevation: < 800 m
California counties: San Joaquin, Tehama, Mariposa, Stanislaus, Tuolumne, El Dorado, Calaveras, Contra Costa, Amador, Sacramento, Shasta, Merced
Bloom period
Limnanthes douglasii subsp. striata blooms Mar-May.
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 douglasii subsp. striata native to California?
Yes. Limnanthes douglasii subsp. striata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Limnanthes douglasii subsp. striata bloom?
Limnanthes douglasii subsp. striata blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Limnanthes douglasii subsp. striata grow?
Limnanthes douglasii subsp. striata occurs in San Joaquin, Tehama, Mariposa, Stanislaus, Tuolumne, El Dorado, Calaveras, Contra Costa and other counties, at elevations of < 800 m.
What plant family does Limnanthes douglasii subsp. striata belong to?
Limnanthes douglasii subsp. striata is in the Limnanthaceae family, genus Limnanthes.
What habitat does Limnanthes douglasii subsp. striata grow in?
Limnanthes douglasii subsp. striata grows in Vernal pools, stream edges.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Limnanthes douglasii subsp. sulphurea — Point reyes meadowfoam
- Limnanthes floccosa — Woolly meadowfoam
- Limnanthes floccosa subsp. bellingeriana — Bellinger's meadowfoam
- Limnanthes floccosa subsp. californica — Butte county meadowfoam
- Limnanthes floccosa subsp. floccosa — Woolly meadowfoam
- Limnanthes montana — Mountain meadowfoam
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.