Lithophragma parviflorum var. parviflorum
Pink woodland star
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Family: Saxifragaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lithophragma parviflorum var. parviflorum (Pink woodland star) is a native California herb in the Saxifragaceae family, recognized by large petals and deeply divided leaves distinctive.
Pink woodland star is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, California Ranges, Sierra Nevada, Tehachapi Mountains, Sacramento Valley, San Francisco Bay Area, southern Coast Ranges, Transverse Ranges, and North Coast Ranges in open areas at elevations below 3,000 meters. Flowering from March to July, this plant produces white or pink flowers with petals in blossoms where the hypanthium is approximately twice as long as wide. Growing with delicate stems typically 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it forms small clusters in woodland and grassland settings. Its leaves are divided into deeply lobed segments, creating a delicate, lacy appearance with fine, intricate divisions. The tiny seeds measure just 0.5 to 0.6 millimeters long, contributing to the plant's diminutive and graceful character.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; large petals and deeply divided leaves distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Open areas
Elevation: < 3000 m
California counties: Kern, Monterey, Tulare, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, San Benito, El Dorado, Amador, Colusa, Fresno, Butte, Glenn, Contra Costa, Tehama, Plumas, Shasta, Tuolumne, Alameda, Sutter, Placer, Stanislaus, San Diego, Humboldt, Ventura, Sierra, Napa, Lake
Bloom period
Lithophragma parviflorum var. parviflorum 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 parviflorum var. parviflorum native to California?
Yes. Lithophragma parviflorum var. parviflorum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lithophragma parviflorum var. parviflorum bloom?
Lithophragma parviflorum var. parviflorum blooms Mar-Jul.
Where in California does Lithophragma parviflorum var. parviflorum grow?
Lithophragma parviflorum var. parviflorum occurs in Kern, Monterey, Tulare, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, San Benito, El Dorado, Amador and other counties, at elevations of < 3000 m.
What plant family does Lithophragma parviflorum var. parviflorum belong to?
Lithophragma parviflorum var. parviflorum is in the Saxifragaceae family, genus Lithophragma.
What habitat does Lithophragma parviflorum var. parviflorum grow in?
Lithophragma parviflorum var. parviflorum grows in Common. Open areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Lithophragma parviflorum var. trifoliatum — Prairie woodland star
- Lithophragma sp. — Woodland star
- Lithophragma tenellum — Slender woodland star
- Lithophragma affine — Common woodland star
- Lithophragma bolanderi — Bolander's woodland star
- Lithophragma campanulatum — Siskiyou mountain woodland star
- Micranthes aprica — Sierra saxifrage
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.