Lithophragma parviflorum var. trifoliatum
Prairie woodland star
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Family: Saxifragaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lithophragma parviflorum var. trifoliatum (Prairie woodland star) is a native California herb in the Saxifragaceae family, recognized by fragrant flowers and elongated hypanthium diagnostic.
Prairie woodland star is a California native perennial found in the northern Sierra Nevada Foothills, central Valley (Oakdale area), and California Ranges in open areas at elevations below 600 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces delicate pink flowers with a fragrant quality, arranged in small clusters. Growing with thin stems that rise 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it forms a compact, low-growing habit. Its leaves are distinctively divided into three leaflets, creating an intricate, lacy appearance typical of woodland star species. The small seeds, measuring just 0.6 to 0.8 millimeters long, contribute to the plant's delicate and understated botanical character.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; fragrant flowers and elongated hypanthium diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open areas
Elevation: < 600 m
California counties: Butte, Trinity, Tehama, Tuolumne, Placer, Sutter, Marin, Mendocino
Bloom period
Lithophragma parviflorum var. trifoliatum 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 parviflorum var. trifoliatum native to California?
Yes. Lithophragma parviflorum var. trifoliatum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lithophragma parviflorum var. trifoliatum bloom?
Lithophragma parviflorum var. trifoliatum blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Lithophragma parviflorum var. trifoliatum grow?
Lithophragma parviflorum var. trifoliatum occurs in Butte, Trinity, Tehama, Tuolumne, Placer, Sutter, Marin, Mendocino, at elevations of < 600 m.
What plant family does Lithophragma parviflorum var. trifoliatum belong to?
Lithophragma parviflorum var. trifoliatum is in the Saxifragaceae family, genus Lithophragma.
What habitat does Lithophragma parviflorum var. trifoliatum grow in?
Lithophragma parviflorum var. trifoliatum grows in Open areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Lithophragma cymbalaria — Mission star
- Micranthes aprica — Sierra saxifrage
- Micranthes bryophora — Bud 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.