Limosella australis

Delta mudwort, Delta Mudwort

Family: Scrophulariaceae · Type: annual · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 2B.1

Delta mudwort is a rare (CNPS 2B.1) California native annual found in the Deltalic Great Valley near Antioch and the Central Coast around Abbott's Lagoon in Marin County, growing in muddy or sandy intertidal flats and brackish water at elevations below 10 meters. Flowering in April, this small plant produces delicate white to lavender-blue flowers approximately 3 millimeters long with rounded corolla lobes. Growing in tufted clumps with awl-like cylindrical leaves 1 to 3 centimeters long, it forms low-growing clusters in wet, saline environments. Its leaves are obtuse, without petioles, and emerge directly from the ground in compact arrangements. The plant produces small spheric fruits and has distinctive curved pedicels that bend when the fruit develops.

Habitat: Muddy or sandy intertidal flats, brackish water

Bloom period: Apr

Elevation: < 10 m

Bioregions: Deltaic GV (near Antioch), CCo (Abbott's Lagoon, Marin Co.)

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.