Limosella aquatica
Northern mudwort
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Family: Scrophulariaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Limosella aquatica (Northern mudwort) is a native California herb in the Scrophulariaceae family, recognized by long petioles with distinct blades.
Northern mudwort is a California native annual found in the Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, Central Coast, San Francisco Bay Area, San Bernardino Mountains, Peninsular Ranges, and Modoc Plateau in wet, muddy, periodically flooded places at elevations below 3,200 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces white to pale pink flowers occasionally with blue exteriors, small and delicate at approximately 2 millimeters long. Growing in tufted clusters with spreading stems, it forms low-growing aquatic colonies. Its leaves are spoon-shaped to ovate, 5 to 30 millimeters long with transparent leaf bases, typically flat and somewhat succulent. The fruit is small, elliptic to spheric, measuring 3 to 5 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; long petioles with distinct blades are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet, muddy, periodically flooded places, fresh water
Elevation: < 3200 m
California counties: Lassen, Plumas, San Bernardino, Modoc, San Diego, Riverside, Monterey, Alpine, Inyo, Marin, Mono, San Luis Obispo, Butte, Kern, Merced, Nevada, Placer, Santa Clara, Sierra, Tulare, San Mateo, Sacramento, Tehama, Yuba, Siskiyou, Ventura
Outside California: to Alaska, eastern North America, Eurasia
Bloom period
Limosella aquatica blooms Jun-Sep.
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 aquatica native to California?
Yes. Limosella aquatica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Limosella aquatica bloom?
Limosella aquatica blooms Jun-Sep.
Where in California does Limosella aquatica grow?
Limosella aquatica occurs in Lassen, Plumas, San Bernardino, Modoc, San Diego, Riverside, Monterey, Alpine and other counties, at elevations of < 3200 m.
What plant family does Limosella aquatica belong to?
Limosella aquatica is in the Scrophulariaceae family, genus Limosella.
What habitat does Limosella aquatica grow in?
Limosella aquatica grows in Wet, muddy, periodically flooded places, 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.