Lithophragma glabrum
Bulbed woodland star
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Family: Saxifragaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lithophragma glabrum (Bulbed woodland star) is a native California herb in the Saxifragaceae family, recognized by axillary bulblets and pink flowers are key features.
Bulbed woodland star is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, high Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada Mountains, Modoc Plateau, and northern eastern Sierra Nevada in dry, gravelly places at elevations up to 3,200 meters. Flowering from March to July, this plant produces delicate pink to white flowers 3 to 7 millimeters long with deeply lobed petals. Growing 8 to 25 centimeters tall with slender stems, it develops distinctive axillary bulblets near its lower bracts. Its basal leaves are deeply three-lobed, with each lobe further divided and featuring sharp-tipped teeth, creating an intricate, delicate foliage structure. The plant produces spiny seeds and can have chromosome counts of 14 or 28.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; axillary bulblets and pink flowers are key features
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, gravelly places
Elevation: < 3200(3750) m
California counties: Mono, Plumas, Modoc, Sierra, Trinity, Alpine, Fresno, El Dorado, Siskiyou, Tulare, Ventura, Inyo, Tuolumne, San Diego, Lassen, Nevada, Glenn, Madera, Butte, Placer, Mariposa, Shasta, Tehama, Humboldt, Colusa, Mendocino
Outside California: to British Columbia, South Dakota, Colorado
Bloom period
Lithophragma glabrum blooms Mar-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 glabrum native to California?
Yes. Lithophragma glabrum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lithophragma glabrum bloom?
Lithophragma glabrum blooms Mar-Jul.
Where in California does Lithophragma glabrum grow?
Lithophragma glabrum occurs in Mono, Plumas, Modoc, Sierra, Trinity, Alpine, Fresno, El Dorado and other counties, at elevations of < 3200(3750) m.
What plant family does Lithophragma glabrum belong to?
Lithophragma glabrum is in the Saxifragaceae family, genus Lithophragma.
What habitat does Lithophragma glabrum grow in?
Lithophragma glabrum grows in Dry, gravelly places.
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.