Lithophragma bolanderi
Bolander's woodland star
(c) Justin Johnsen, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Saxifragaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lithophragma bolanderi (Bolander's woodland star) is a native California herb in the Saxifragaceae family, recognized by rounded leaf teeth and spiny seeds distinguish it.
Bolander's woodland star is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, southern Sacramento Valley, San Francisco Bay Area, Transverse Ranges, and southern Great Basin in open slopes, riparian areas, and woodlands at elevations up to 2,000 meters. Flowering from February to July, this plant produces delicate white flowers 4 to 7 millimeters long with ovate-elliptic petals, sometimes featuring subtle tooth-like lobes. Growing 20 to 80 centimeters tall with an upright habit, it develops slender stems supporting clusters of 5 to 25 flowers. Its basal leaves are distinctively lobed, typically divided into 3 to 5 segments with rounded teeth, creating an intricate architectural pattern. The plant's seeds are characterized by a spiny texture, adding an interesting defensive feature to its reproductive strategy.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; rounded leaf teeth and spiny seeds distinguish it
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open slopes, riparian, woodland
Elevation: < 2000(3000) m
California counties: Kern, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Contra Costa, Butte, Placer, Tulare, Madera, Fresno, Yuba, Mendocino, Stanislaus, Mariposa, Calaveras, Sutter, Plumas, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Tuolumne, Riverside, Ventura, Monterey, El Dorado, Amador, Glenn, Humboldt, Sacramento, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Shasta, Napa, Sonoma, Nevada, Lake, Tehama, Colusa, Solano, Trinity, Yolo
Bloom period
Lithophragma bolanderi blooms Feb-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Delphinium: Lithophragma has regular 5-petaled flowers; Delphinium has irregular spurred flowers with hood-like upper petals.; vs Bowlesia: Lithophragma has showy pink-white flowers in clusters; Bowlesia has tiny greenish flowers in tight umbels.; vs Geranium: Lithophragma petals are fringed/lobed and has 3 styles; Geranium petals are entire and has 5 styles.; vs Lysimachia: Lithophragma has 3 styles and deeply lobed leaves; Lysimachia has 1 style and simple leaves.; vs Horkelia: Lithophragma has 3 styles and palmately lobed leaves; Horkelia has many styles and pinnately compound leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lithophragma bolanderi native to California?
Yes. Lithophragma bolanderi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lithophragma bolanderi bloom?
Lithophragma bolanderi blooms Feb-Jul.
Where in California does Lithophragma bolanderi grow?
Lithophragma bolanderi occurs in Kern, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Contra Costa, Butte, Placer, Tulare, Madera and other counties, at elevations of < 2000(3000) m.
What plant family does Lithophragma bolanderi belong to?
Lithophragma bolanderi is in the Saxifragaceae family, genus Lithophragma.
What habitat does Lithophragma bolanderi grow in?
Lithophragma bolanderi grows in Open slopes, riparian, woodland.
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.