Lithophragma campanulatum
Siskiyou mountain woodland star
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Family: Saxifragaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lithophragma campanulatum (Siskiyou mountain woodland star) is a native California herb in the Saxifragaceae family, recognized by bell-shaped hypanthium and unequal petal lobes.
Siskiyou mountain woodland star is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, northern California Ranges, and northern Sierra Nevada at elevations of 500 to 2,500 meters in shady, well-drained slopes. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces delicate white flowers with multiple unequal lobes, ranging 3 to 7 millimeters long. Growing with slender stems 15 to 55 centimeters tall, it forms a compact and graceful woodland presence. Its basal leaves are distinctively three to five-lobed with relatively sharp teeth, creating an intricate leafy foundation. The plant's hypanthium is broadly bell-shaped, with flowers emerging in small clusters of 2 to 11 blooms.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; bell-shaped hypanthium and unequal petal lobes are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Shady, well-drained slopes
Elevation: (100)500-2500 m
California counties: Tehama, Colusa, Siskiyou, Solano, Trinity, Mendocino, Shasta, Calaveras, El Dorado, Butte, Humboldt, Lake, Plumas, Glenn, Yuba, Sierra, Del Norte, Nevada
Outside California: southwestern Oregon
Bloom period
Lithophragma campanulatum blooms May-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 campanulatum native to California?
Yes. Lithophragma campanulatum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lithophragma campanulatum bloom?
Lithophragma campanulatum blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Lithophragma campanulatum grow?
Lithophragma campanulatum occurs in Tehama, Colusa, Siskiyou, Solano, Trinity, Mendocino, Shasta, Calaveras and other counties, at elevations of (100)500-2500 m.
What plant family does Lithophragma campanulatum belong to?
Lithophragma campanulatum is in the Saxifragaceae family, genus Lithophragma.
What habitat does Lithophragma campanulatum grow in?
Lithophragma campanulatum grows in Shady, well-drained slopes.
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.