Limosella acaulis
Broad leaved mudwort
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda · licence
Family: Scrophulariaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Limosella acaulis (Broad leaved mudwort) is a native California herb in the Scrophulariaceae family, recognized by key distinguishing features are leaf shape and petiole presence.
Broad leaved mudwort is a California native annual found in the Klamath Ranges, Sierra Nevada, Great Valley, Central Western, Southwestern, and Great Basin regions in wet, muddy freshwater habitats at elevations below 3,300 meters. Flowering from May to October, this plant produces white to lavender flowers about 2 to 3 millimeters long with rounded lobes. Growing as a mat-forming species with cespitose habit, it spreads in low, dense clusters across wet ground. Its leaves are flat, linear to slightly spoon-shaped, typically 1 to 6 centimeters long and 0.5 to 2 millimeters wide, with distinctive ear-shaped transparent stipules. The fruit is spherical, measuring 3 to 5 millimeters in diameter.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; key distinguishing features are leaf shape and petiole presence
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet, muddy places, generally fresh water
Elevation: < 3300 m
California counties: Los Angeles, San Diego, Sonoma, Fresno, San Bernardino, Riverside, Lassen, San Mateo, Mono, Modoc, Stanislaus, Santa Clara, Inyo, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Amador, Placer, Yolo, Marin, Sacramento, Solano, Merced, Plumas, Butte, Tehama, Yuba, Nevada, Colusa, Napa, Alameda, Contra Costa, Madera, Shasta, Sutter, San Joaquin, San Francisco, Tuolumne, Sierra, Santa Cruz, San Benito
Outside California: to New Mexico, Mexico
Bloom period
Limosella acaulis blooms May-Oct.
How to tell it apart
vs Artemisia: Limosella grows in wet mud with simple spoon-shaped leaves; Artemisia is upright and dry-habitat with divided leaves.; vs Myoporum: Limosella is a tiny mudwort under 4 inches; Myoporum is a woody coastal shrub.; vs Buddleja: Limosella is a tiny wetland plant; Buddleja is a large fuzzy-leaved shrub.; vs Scrophularia: Limosella has all leaves basal in wet habitats; Scrophularia has square stems with leaves along them.; vs Verbascum: Limosella is a tiny mudwort under 4 inches; Verbascum towers several feet tall.
Frequently asked questions
Is Limosella acaulis native to California?
Yes. Limosella acaulis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Limosella acaulis bloom?
Limosella acaulis blooms May-Oct.
Where in California does Limosella acaulis grow?
Limosella acaulis occurs in Los Angeles, San Diego, Sonoma, Fresno, San Bernardino, Riverside, Lassen, San Mateo and other counties, at elevations of < 3300 m.
What plant family does Limosella acaulis belong to?
Limosella acaulis is in the Scrophulariaceae family, genus Limosella.
What habitat does Limosella acaulis grow in?
Limosella acaulis grows in Wet, muddy places, generally fresh water.
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.