Limnanthes floccosa subsp. californica
Butte county meadowfoam, Butte County Meadowfoam
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Limnanthaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
Limnanthes floccosa subsp. californica (Butte county meadowfoam) is a native California herb in the Limnanthaceae family, recognized by densely hairy throughout with hairy petal bases.
Butte county meadowfoam is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in the Sacramento Valley (Butte County) on vernal pool edges at elevations below 100 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces white to cream flowers with petals 8 to 10 millimeters long, featuring distinctive hairy bases. Growing as a small, densely hairy herbage with delicate stems, it forms low-spreading clusters in seasonal wetland environments. Its leaves are finely divided and covered in soft, woolly hairs, creating a soft, textured appearance across the vernal pool margins. The fruit develops as small mericarps with widely conical tubercles, characteristic of this specialized meadowfoam species.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; densely hairy throughout with hairy petal bases
Habitat and range
Habitat: Vernal pool edges
Elevation: < 100 m
California counties: Placer, Butte
Bloom period
Limnanthes floccosa subsp. californica blooms Mar-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
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 floccosa subsp. californica native to California?
Yes. Limnanthes floccosa subsp. californica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Limnanthes floccosa subsp. californica bloom?
Limnanthes floccosa subsp. californica blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Limnanthes floccosa subsp. californica grow?
Limnanthes floccosa subsp. californica occurs in Placer, Butte, at elevations of < 100 m.
What plant family does Limnanthes floccosa subsp. californica belong to?
Limnanthes floccosa subsp. californica is in the Limnanthaceae family, genus Limnanthes.
Is Limnanthes floccosa subsp. californica rare or endangered?
Limnanthes floccosa subsp. californica carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
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.