Limnanthes vinculans
Sebastopol meadowfoam
(c) Stan Shebs, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Limnanthaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
Limnanthes vinculans (Sebastopol meadowfoam) is a native California herb in the Limnanthaceae family, recognized by distinctive few leaflets and large petals.
Sebastopol meadowfoam is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in southern North Coast Ranges of Sonoma County in wet meadows at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces white flowers with petals 12 to 18 millimeters long that dry yellowish at the base and become reflexed with age. Growing erect to ascending with stems up to 30 centimeters tall, it has a delicate glabrous structure. Its leaves are compound with 3 to 5 narrow, obovate leaflets 5 to 20 millimeters long, arranged entire along the stem. The fruit develops with dense, short, wide, and rounded tubercles on each mericarp.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; distinctive few leaflets and large petals
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet meadows
Elevation: < 300 m
California counties: Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino
Bloom period
Limnanthes vinculans blooms Apr-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 vinculans native to California?
Yes. Limnanthes vinculans is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Limnanthes vinculans bloom?
Limnanthes vinculans blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Limnanthes vinculans grow?
Limnanthes vinculans occurs in Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, at elevations of < 300 m.
What plant family does Limnanthes vinculans belong to?
Limnanthes vinculans is in the Limnanthaceae family, genus Limnanthes.
Is Limnanthes vinculans rare or endangered?
Limnanthes vinculans carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Limnanthes alba — White meadowfoam
- Limnanthes alba subsp. alba
- Limnanthes alba subsp. parishii — Parish's meadowfoam
- Limnanthes alba subsp. versicolor
- Limnanthes bakeri — Baker's meadowfoam
- Limnanthes douglasii — Common meadowfoam
- Floerkea proserpinacoides — False mermaidweed
- Floerkea sp. — False mermaid
- Limnanthaceae sp. — Meadowfoam family
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.